September 2. ...Jane called [to] us...about three in the morning, to tell us of a great fire they saw in the City....[In the morning, I] walked to the Tower, and there got up upon one of the high places... and there I did see the houses at that end of the bridge all on fire, and an infinite great fire on this and the other side the end of the bridge... Every body endeavoring to remove their goods, and flinging [them] into the river....

September 3. About four o'clock in the morning, my Lady Batten sent me a cart to carry away all my money, and plate, and best things, to Sir W. Rider's at Bednall-greene. Which I did, riding myself in my nightgown, in the cart; and, Lord! to see how the streets and the highways are crowded with people running and riding, and getting of carts at any rate to fetch away things....

September 4. ...Now begins the practice of blowing up of houses in Tower-street, those next the Tower, which at first did frighten people more than any thing; but it stopped the fire where it was done, it bringing down the houses to the ground in the same places they stood, and then it was easy to quench what little fire was in it....

September 7. Up by five o'clock; and, blessed be God! find all well; and by water to Pane's Wharf. Walked thence, and saw all the town burned....