According to the eyewitness account of John Joseph Henry, an American prisoner aboard HMS Pearl, the fire began in the Fighting Cocks Tavern, near Whitehall Slip. Abetted by dry weather and strong winds, the flames spread north and west, moving rapidly among tightly packed homes and businesses. Residents poured into the streets, clutching what possessions they could and found refuge on the grassy town commons (today, City Hall Park).
According to John Joseph Henry, an American prisoner aboard HMS Pearl, the fire started in the Fighting Cocks Tavern near Whitehall Slip. The flames spread quickly due to dry weather and strong winds, engulfing homes and businesses packed together in the area. People fled into the streets, seeking refuge on the town commons (now City Hall Park).