The two podcast episodes provide detailed accounts of the Great Fire of London, which began on September 2, 1666 and consumed a third of the city over the course of four days. The fire likely originated from a bakery on Pudding Lane and rapidly spread due to the city's densely packed layout and timber-framed buildings.
The episodes describe the historical context of 17th century London, including the governance and living conditions of the time. They also discuss the aftermath of the fire, with King Charles II leading firefighting efforts and architect Christopher Wren overseeing the city's subsequent rebuilding with new fire-prevention design.
The podcast episodes highlight the significant impact the Great Fire had on London, both in terms of the immediate devastation and the long-term changes it brought about in the city's urban planning and architecture.