After demanding the fleet, the British threatened Copenhagen with destruction and opened fire when Denmark refused. The bombardment ran from 2 to 5 September 1807. Congreve rockets were especially dangerous among wooden buildings and ships because they could start fires. British permission for civilians to leave reduced the number of people trapped in the city, though the bombardment still caused extensive material damage.
Notable Point · 2:07-2:53
The bombardment of Copenhagen
Britain's demand for the Danish fleet was followed by a four-day bombardment that used incendiary Congreve rockets against a wooden city.