"Houses of Parliament Fire."

The fire at the Parliament House was sparked by an overheated chimney flue in the House of Lords. The flue's chimney was encased in wooden paneling, which ignited due to the intense heat, quickly spreading the fire. The fire rapidly engulfed the medieval Palace of Westminster, where the Parliament House was located. The buildings were predominantly made of wood, and the fire's intensity was exacerbated by the high winds and the vast amount of flammable materials inside.

Despite efforts to contain the fire, it spread uncontrollably throughout the complex, causing extensive damage. The fire consumed the House of Lords and the Commons Chamber, along with other parts of the Palace. The iconic medieval Westminster Hall, however, was saved from the flames. The fire drew a significant response from firefighters, as well as the public, who formed human chains to help salvage valuable items from the burning building. Firefighters struggled to combat the blaze due to the architectural complexities of the Palace and the limited firefighting technology available at the time.

The fire resulted in the loss of a significant architectural masterpiece. The medieval Palace of Westminster had stood for centuries as a symbol of British governance. The destruction of the House of Commons and the House of Lords prompted discussions about the reconstruction and redesign of the complex.