Fire of Moscow (1812)

During the French occupation of the city, the 1812 Fire of Moscow persisted from 14 to 18 September 1812 and all but destroyed the city. The Russian troops and most of the remaining civilians had abandoned the city on 14 September 1812 just ahead of French Emperor Napoleon's troops entering the city after the Battle of Borodino. The Moscow military governor, Count Fyodor Rostopchin, has often been considered responsible for organising the destruction of the sacred former capital to weaken the French army in the scorched city even more.

For similar disasters, see Fire of Moscow (disambiguation).
Fire of Moscow
Part of the French invasion of Russia

Napoleon in burning Moscow by Albrecht Adam (1841)
Date14 September 1812
Location
Moscow, Russian Empire
55.75°N 37.63°E / 55.75; 37.63
Result
  • destruction of 6496 out of 9151 residential buildings;
  • destruction of 6584 wooden and 2567 stone houses;
  • destruction of 122 out of 329 churches.
Belligerents
 France  Russia
Commanders and leaders
Napoleon
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