The Great Smog of 1952 took hold on London exactly 61 years ago, claiming an estimated 4000 lives.
A spell of cold weather, combined windless conditions then gathered air particles mainly from the excessive use of coal, which then formed a thick layer of smog over the capital city. Daylight then turned in to dusk-like conditions as the fog crippled the city.
The smog lasted for five days causing major disruption throughout London.