Wooden replica of 17th-century London set alight to mark Great Fire anniversary

The 120m model was destoryed to mark 350 years since the fire started on Pudding Lane

Crowds gathered on the banks of the Thames to watch the 120-metre long model go up in flames. (John Phillips/Getty)

A wooden sculpture of 17th century London has been set alight on the River Thames to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire.

The blaze, which raged for four days, was a catastrophe that changed the face of the capital in 1666, devastating thousands of homes and other buildings.

The Great Fire of London spread from Pudding Lane to the areas surrounding St Paul's Cathedral and Fleet Street from just after midnight on September 2 to September 5 - but remarkably only six deaths were officially recorded.

(Hannah McKay/PA (Hannah McKay/PA)

Sunday night saw a 120-metre long sculpture of the 17th-century London skyline burn in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Great Fire. It was the finale of the London's Burning festival - a programme of free art events - is taking place at locations including St Paul's, the Tate Modern and the National Theatre.

(Hannah McKay/PA (Hannah McKay/PA)

Helen Marriage, director of Artichoke the who spearheaded the festival, said before it began: “London's Burning brings a unique contemporary perspective to the Great Fire, exploring the challenges and issues faced by major world cities today, our relationship to catastrophe and crisis and our ability to adapt, adjust and rebuild.

“It is an artistic response that addresses the impact of the Great Fire of London on the City, its inhabitants and buildings, and how it emerged from the ashes and evolved to the resilient world city it is today.”

Press Association