nearly seven o'clock in the evening
Bravely and perseveringly though this was done , it availed not , for nothing could withstand the fury of the fire . The warehouse caught , and was soon a glowing mass like the others , while the flames raged with such violence that their roaring drowned the shouting of men , and the more distant roar of the innumerable multitude that densely covered London Bridge , and clustered on every eminence from which a safe view of the great fire could be obtained . The floating fire-engines had now been at work for some time , and the men in charge of their branches were suffering greatly from the intense heat . About this time , nearly seven o'clock in the evening , Mr Braidwood went to these men to give them a word of encouragement . He proceeded down one of the approaches to the river from Tooley Street , and stopped when nearly half way to give some directions , when a sudden and tremendous explosion , took place , shaking the already tottering walls , which at this place were of great height . A cry was raised , `` Run ! the wall is falling ! ''