The day of the Great Fire of London.

I still remember that day vividly - the day the Great Fire of London broke out. I was working in a public house across the road from where the fire started, in a bakery on Pudding Lane. At first, I thought it was a small fire that could be quickly extinguished, but the wind picked up, and the flames spread like wildfire.  I saw many sites and sounds during the hours proceeding the blaze.   From many brave firefighters donning their Leather Fireman's Helmets, trying to subdue the flames, to screaming women, trying to protect their children from the smoke and the severe heat.

As I watched the fire grow, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. The city was already struggling with a severe outbreak of the bubonic plague, and the fire was only making things worse. The disease had already claimed many lives, and seeing people in the streets with symptoms of the plague was a common sight. The infected were covered in boils, had a fever, and were often in great pain. It was a terrifying sight.

Despite the danger, people were still out on the streets, trying to help those affected by the fire and the plague. I remember seeing people carrying nosegay bouquets, trying to mask the smell of the fire and the plague. It was a small comfort in the midst of chaos.

The rats were a big problem too. They were everywhere, and they were spreading the plague. The city was full of them, and they were thriving in the unsanitary conditions. People were trying to get rid of them, but it was a losing battle.

Water was a precious resource during the fire, and the firefighters were using wooden hoses and pumping water from the River Thames to try to extinguish the flames, whilst the publicans were filling leather buckets with water, to throw onto the fire.   It was a difficult task, as the river was low, and many of the city's water sources had already been contaminated by the plague. It was a dire situation, and it seemed like things were only getting worse.

As i write this with my quill pen, In the days following the fire, the city was left in ruins. The once-thriving metropolis was reduced to a smoldering pile of rubble, and the smell of charred wood and smoke hung heavy in the air. The city was in a state of shock, and it would take years to rebuild and recover from the devastation.  Doctors were doing their best to tend to the sick and burnt, and the site of the doctors cane and mask was becomming a familiar site!

As i try to come to terms with the last few days, i realise that i will no longer be able to serve ale to the locals in their familiar puter tankards in my dilapidated public house, as my livelihood has literally gone up in smoke!  Many people had already lost their lives to the plague and now the great fire, whilst many more are now homeless.  I cannot help but feel a sense of sadness and loss of hope.

As I look outside, i can see that houses are being painted with a red cross to signify that family members are suffering from the plague, I can't see a way out!