A fire at Somerset House in central London has been successfully contained after approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to combat the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB), in a joint press conference with the arts venue, confirmed that firefighters are now focusing on extinguishing the remaining pockets of fire located in the roof area.
The fire, which broke out in the west wing just before noon, has resulted in the temporary closure of the historic site. However, a spokesperson reassured that no artworks were present in the affected area of the building. Thankfully, there have been no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Thick grey smoke was seen rising from the landmark, filling the central London skyline and drifting over the River Thames and Waterloo Bridge. Keeley Foster, LFB's assistant commissioner, described the firefighting efforts as "complex and technical." She mentioned that firefighters would remain at the scene through the night.
Somerset House’s director, Jonathan Reekie, stated that it is too early to assess the building's condition. While the venue will stay closed until further notice, the Courtauld Gallery, located within Somerset House, plans to reopen to the public the following day.
In a social media update, Somerset House announced its closure due to the fire, canceling all events scheduled for Saturday. Following the evacuation, staff and visitors were seen standing outside the venue. Reekie assured the BBC that everyone was safe and confirmed that no valuable artifacts or artworks were at risk in the affected part of the building. He expressed his gratitude to the London Fire Brigade for their ongoing efforts.
The London Ambulance Service advised the public to avoid the area due to the heavy smoke and recommended that nearby businesses keep windows and doors closed.
The fire brigade was alerted to the fire at 11:59 AM BST on Saturday. Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant expressed his concern, hoping that the venue would reopen soon and mentioning that his department is in contact with Somerset House. He emphasized the cultural importance of the historic building, which hosts significant galleries and creative spaces.
Somerset House, located on the Strand in central London, is an arts venue housed in Georgian-era buildings that were built on the site of a Tudor palace. It also includes the Courtauld Gallery, which features the Samuel Courtauld Trust's collection, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including Vincent Van Gogh’s "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear" and works by Impressionists such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, and Paul Cézanne.
Somerset House is renowned for hosting exhibitions, experiences, and ice skating in its famous courtyard. The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue. The LFB deployed 15 fire engines and over 125 firefighters, with crews from Soho, Islington, and surrounding stations, to tackle the flames in part of the building's roof. Four aerial ladders, including a 64-meter-long one, were used to help control the blaze. The Metropolitan Police reported that officers were called at 12:25 PM and that road closures were implemented in the area. No one is believed to have been inside Somerset House when the fire broke out. Photo by Ewan Munro, Wikimedia commons.