<P> Order in the streets broke down as rumours arose of suspicious foreigners setting fires . The fears of the homeless focused on the French and Dutch , England 's enemies in the ongoing Second Anglo - Dutch War ; these substantial immigrant groups became victims of lynchings and street violence . On Tuesday , the fire spread over most of the City , destroying St Paul 's Cathedral and leaping the River Fleet to threaten King Charles II 's court at Whitehall , while coordinated firefighting efforts were simultaneously mobilising . The battle to quench the fire is considered to have been won by two factors : the strong east winds died down , and the Tower of London garrison used gunpowder to create effective firebreaks to halt further spread eastward . </P>
<P> Order in the streets broke down as rumours arose of suspicious foreigners setting fires . The fears of the homeless focused on the French and Dutch , England 's enemies in the ongoing Second Anglo - Dutch War ; these substantial immigrant groups became victims of lynchings and street violence . On Tuesday , the fire spread over most of the City , destroying St Paul 's Cathedral and leaping the River Fleet to threaten King Charles II 's court at Whitehall , while coordinated firefighting efforts were simultaneously mobilising . The battle to quench the fire is considered to have been won by two factors : the strong east winds died down , and the Tower of London garrison used gunpowder to create effective firebreaks to halt further spread eastward . </P>
who was the king during the great fire of london
who was the king during the great fire of london
King Charles II
King Charles II