Firefighters in London have successfully contained a blaze at Somerset House after being called to the scene to tackle the fire. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported that around 125 firefighters were involved in the operation to extinguish the flames.
The fire, which broke out in the west wing of Somerset House just before midday on Saturday, has been contained, but firefighters are still working to put out the final pockets of fire located in the roof space. The historic landmark will remain closed until further notice, with no reported injuries and no artworks affected in that part of the building.
Thick grey smoke could be seen billowing into the air from Somerset House, filling the central London skyline and prompting the London Ambulance Service to advise people to avoid the area and for local businesses to keep windows and doors shut. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
In a joint press conference with Somerset House, the LFB’s assistant commissioner Keeley Foster described the firefighters’ response as “complex and technical.” She stated that crews will remain at the scene into the next day to ensure the fire is completely extinguished.
Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant expressed his hope for the venue to reopen as soon as possible, emphasizing the importance of Somerset House as a home to London’s great galleries and creative spaces. The venue, located on the Strand in central London, is known for its arts exhibitions and houses the Courtauld Gallery, which features masterpieces from various eras, including works by Vincent Van Gogh, Edouard Manet, and Claude Monet.
The Met Police confirmed that road closures were in place around Somerset House, but nobody is believed to have been inside the building at the time of the fire. The situation is being closely monitored as firefighters continue their efforts to fully extinguish the blaze.
