Through the killer fog

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The climate is the talk of the day today, but it wasn’t much else exactly 63 years ago. On December 4, 1952 ‘The Great Smog’ blanketed London for five claustrophobic days. It is believed to have been the worst air pollution disaster in British history, leading to the death of at least 4,000 people, with some sources mentioning many more. The main reason for the killer fog? Not cars, but coal. After an unusual cold night coal fireplaces had worked overtime to take the chill out of the city. There was no wind, leaving the whole of the capital in a ‘pea soup’ until the 9th of December. The smog was so dense in some places people were unable to see their feet as they walked. Theatres closed as no one was able to see the screen. Except for the underground, traffic came to a halt. And for those who did persevere to drive their cars, it was necessary to have someone to guide you with a torch, as the lady above demonstrates.
Perhaps the Low Emission Zone wasn't such a bad idea after all?

(Words Jeroen Booij, Picture courtesy Getty images) 

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