Fire tore through the roof of London’s historic Somerset house — but the efforts of more than 125 firefighters helped spare the building’s priceless art collections, including works by Manet, van Gogh and Cezanne.
London’s Fire Brigade (LFB) said 25 fire engines battled the blaze, which broke out in the west wing just before midday Saturday, authorities said.
No one was injured.
Smoke rising from a fire at the Somerset House in London on Aug. 17, 2024. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
Firefighters dousing the landmark building with water from above. REUTERSFirst responders employed a 200-foot ladder to reach the flames and fire breaks had to be created in the roof to limit the spread of the fire, according to ABCNews.
“Crews are now working to extinguish the final pockets of fire,” Keeley Foster, the LFB’s assistant commissioner, told reporters.
“The fire was located in part of the building’s roof space. The age and design of the building proved a challenge for crews as they initially responded.”
Somerset House — which overlooks the River Thames and dates back to 1547 — is a former royal palace and stately home that has been transformed into an arts, cultural and entertainment center.
The works of art are located in the north wing. The Courtauld Gallery, which houses masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, was slated to reopen to the public on Sunday.
A day of breakdancing and other events scheduled there for Saturday were scrapped due to the blaze, NBC News reported.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, according to officials. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
A view of the Somerset House fire from the Waterloo Bridge in London. AFP via Getty Images
Fifteen fire engines and at least 100 firefighters were sent to battle the Somerset House blaze. REUTERS
Spectators watching London firefighters attempt to put out the Somerset House blaze. REUTERS/Maja SmiejkowskaFoster said crews would remain at the site overnight and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
The main Somerset House building would remain closed to the public until further notice,authorities said.
“It’s too early to comment on the building’s condition,” said Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust.
“I’m confident that the damage is to one small part of the building.”
Emergency service workers gathered at Somerset House in central London. Pol Allingham/PA via AP
According to the London Fire Brigade, the crews were fighting a fire located near the building’s roof. Dean Wilburn via StoryfulThe Somerset building has a charmed and glorious history.
It was the residence of Princess Elizabeth before she was crowned Queen Elizabeth I in 1558 and the headquarters of the Parliamentary Army from 1642 during the English Civil War, and is a former home of both the Admiralty and the Inland Revenue.
The original building was demolished in 1775 and then rebuilt.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed much of London, the Somerset House site survived.
With Post wires
