In a little over five hours, more than 450 buildings were destroyed and more than 250 families made homeless. The fire swept through much of the central area of Warwick, engulfing High Street, Castle Street, Swan Street, Jury Street, Church Street, New Street, Market Place and Northgate Street. The townsfolk ran to St. Mary's Church hoping it would protect them, but some of them brought their belongings already smoldering. Disastrously, the church caught fire and much of this ancient building was completely destroyed.

Stand with one's back to the Anchor Inn and one can clearly see where the Great Fire started and progressed. Tudor buildings on the right suddenly give way to comparatively modern brick structures that stretch all the way down the High Street and into Jury Street.