Burning of Parliament facts for kids
The Burning of Parliament was a huge fire that happened in London on 16 October 1834. This terrible event largely destroyed the Palace of Westminster. This ancient palace was where the British Parliament met.
The fire started because of small wooden tally sticks. These sticks were once used for keeping financial records by a government department called the Exchequer. They were no longer needed and were being burned in furnaces under the House of Lords. However, they were disposed of carelessly.
The Great Fire of Parliament
The fire began when the wooden sticks were thrown into two furnaces. These furnaces were located under the House of Lords. This caused a chimney fire in the flues, which are like large pipes, running under the floor of the Lords' chamber.
The fire slowly burned under the floor for most of the day. Warning signs were missed by the people in charge of the building. This led the Prime Minister at the time to call it a huge mistake.
How the Fire Spread
Once it started, the fire quickly spread through the buildings. It became one of the worst fires in London's history. Only the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz during the Second World War were worse.
Many people gathered to watch the fire. Several artists were there too, drawing pictures of the dramatic event. The fire burned for most of the night, lighting up the London sky.
What Was Lost?
The fire destroyed many important parts of the Palace of Westminster. Both the House of Lords and the House of Commons were lost. Most of their libraries, art collections, and official records were also burned.
Images for kids
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Plan of the Palace of Westminster in 1834, showing the position of the House of Lords (in the White Chamber), the House of Commons (in St Stephen's Chapel), Westminster Hall, the Painted Chamber, the Speaker's House and the Exchequer.
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Tally sticks were used by treasury officials until 1826.
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Superintendent James Braidwood of the London Fire Engine Establishment, pictured in 1866
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The Palace of Westminster, viewed from the Thames after the fire
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John Constable's sketch undertaken as he witnessed the fire
See also
In Spanish: Incendio del Parlamento del Reino Unido para niños
