Great Boston fire of 1760

The fire destroyed 349 buildings in the area between the modern Washington Street and Fort Hill, as well as several ships in port, and it left more than a thousand people homeless.

[6] 174 houses and 175 warehouses, shops, and other buildings were destroyed in the blaze, leaving more than a thousand people homeless,[7] and the total estimated losses of £53,334 hit especially hard in a town that had already "borne the extraordinary Expence" of the French and Indian War.

The Assemblies of Pennsylvania and New York voted to send relief funds, while in Nova Scotia a significant amount of money was raised for the town, and individuals from as far away as London sent contributions.

[12] In order to prevent a similar disaster from occurring in the future, the Massachusetts legislature passed new laws and acts that improved fire safety standards in Boston.

Any new building more than seven feet high that was made of wood would result in a fine, and a committee was appointed to re-lay the narrow streets of the burnt district.

Map of Boston in 1760, showing the extent of the Great Fire (dotted area)
Map of the area affected by the fire. The Old State House is marked as "a" near the top, while the Old South Meeting House is marked as "C."
Order of the Connecticut General Assembly , instructing all congregational ministers in the colony to assist in raising donations for the people of Boston following the fire