Answer: This image is known as The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, London's famous Houses of Parliament were destroyed by fire on the night of October 16, 1834, and people gathered along the banks of the river Thames to witness the horrible event. Water could not be pumped to land as a result of a low tide, which also hindered steamers towed by firefighters. For hours, the fire burned uncontrollably.
So what is depicted in short is a fire burning the Houses of Parliament along the river.