History · 2

What was the primary building material in 1666 London that let the Great Fire spread so quickly that most residents managed to flee?

Answer

Wood

Most 17th-century London buildings were timber-framed with pitch-coated exteriors, which caught fire easily and burned rapidly, giving residents time to flee even as entire streets were destroyed.

💡 Did you know?

The Great Fire of London in 1666 killed remarkably few people because most buildings were wooden and burned so fast residents escaped.

Other options people guess

  • Stone
  • Brick
  • Iron

Topics

  • great-fire-of-london
  • 17th-century
  • britain
  • architecture

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