The Great Fire started at the bakery of Thomas Farriner shortly after midnight and spread rapidly west across the City of London. The major firefighting technique of the time was to create firebreaks by means of demolition. By the time large-scale demolitions were ordered on Sunday night the wind had already fanned the bakery fire into a firestorm that defeated such measures. By 6 September the Great Fire consumed 13.200 houses, 87 parish churches, St Paul's Cathedral and most of the buildings of the City authorities. It is estimated to have destroyed the homes of 70.000 of the city's 80.000 inhabitants.