The Great Fire Redux

London burned again yesterday, only this time only in the form of a 320 foot long replica built for the occasion out of wood on the banks of the Thames. 

Watch the London Replica burn here:
,


Here is how al-Jazeeria covered the story:



For the Guardian's version of the story, go here. 

For more pictures of the event, go here. 

The Guardian also has a story about major buildings that were destroyed in the Great Fire, including St Paul's, here.

Given the profound impact that the Great Fire had on Wren's career as an architect, I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Wren set the Fire in Pudding Lane. 

But I know that's silly talk. Just joking folks, just joking . . . . .

St Paul's and The Great Fire

The Great Fire of London reached St Paul's Cathedral 350 years ago today, on September 4th, 1666.

The photograph above, from the Evening Standard, suggests that the folks at Wren's St Paul's have been having fun projecting images of a fire onto the dome, perhaps as part of a memorial event.

We proposed several years ago that the folks at the cathedral work with us to have a more elaborate exhibit on this 350th anniversary occasion. 

Our plan would have involved projecting images of the preFire cathedral onto the facade of today's cathedral, then adding images of the fire, to conclude with today's St Paul's rising from the ashes.  

But we didn't get anywhere -- the cathedral's response was that they weren't sure their fire insurance would cover the risk.

Seems they figured out the difference between virtual and real fire, in time for the Great Fire Anniversary.

In any case, if you want a chronology of the Great Fire, please see below. 

And watch the VPCP website for some significant changes in the days and weeks ahead.