The heat of the flames had now become almost insufferable, and the sparks and flakes of fire fell so fast and thick, that the spectators were compelled to retreat to a considerable distance from the burning buildings.  The noise occasioned by the cracking of the timbers, and the falling of walls and roofs, was awful in the extreme.  All the avenues and thoroughfares near the fire were now choked up by carts, coaches, and other vehicles, which had been hastily brought thither to remove the goods of the inhabitants, and the hurry of the poor people to save a wreck of their property, and the attempts made by the gangs of plunderers to deprive them of it, constituted a scene of unparalleled tumult and confusion.  As yet, no troops had appeared to maintain order, and seeing that as much mischief was almost done by the plunderers as by the fire, Leonard determined to go in search of the lord mayor, and acquaint him with the mischief that was occurring.  Having heard that the fire had already reached London Bridge, he resolved to ascertain whether the report was true.  As he proceeded down Saint Michael’s-lane, he found the venerable church from which it was designated on fire, and with some difficulty forcing his way through the crowd, reached Thames-street, where he discovered that the conflagration had even made more fearful progress than he had anticipated.  Fishmongers’ Hall, a large square structure, was on fire, and burning swiftly,—­the flames encircling its high roof, and the turret by which it was surmounted.  Streams of fire, too, had darted down the numerous narrow alleys leading to the river-side, and reaching the wharves, had kindled the heaps of wood and coal with which they were filled.  The party under the command of the lord mayor had used their utmost exertions to get rid of these combustible materials by flinging them into the Thames; but they came too late, and were driven away by the approach of the fire.  Most of the barges and heavy craft were aground, and they, too, caught fire, and were burned, with their contents.

Finding he could neither render any assistance, nor obtain speech with the lord mayor, and anxious to behold the terrible yet sublime spectacle from the river, Leonard hastened to Old Swan-Stairs, and springing into a boat, ordered the waterman to row into the middle of the Thames.  He could then discern the full extent of the conflagration, and trace the progress it was making.  All the houses between Fishmongers’ Hall and the bridge were on fire, and behind them rose a vast sheet of flame.  Saint Magnus’ Church, at the foot of the bridge, was next seized by the flame, and Leonard watched its destruction.  An ancient gateway followed, and soon afterwards a large stack of houses erected upon the bridge burst into flames.