More than 120 firefighters tackle blaze at London's Somerset House
Around 125 firefighters tackled a fire in the roof of London's Somerset house on Saturday, though the historic building's major art collections, including works by Manet, van Gogh and Cezanne, were undamaged.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported that 25 fire engines were dispatched to respond to a blaze at Somerset House, following an alarm raised just before midday. The police confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Somerset House, a historic site overlooking the River Thames and originally established in 1547 as a royal palace, now serves as a prominent arts, cultural, and entertainment center.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster stated during a media briefing that firefighters were working to extinguish the remaining pockets of the fire. She noted that the fire had originated in the building's roof space, and the age and architectural design of Somerset House presented challenges for the fire crews during their initial response.
Crews are expected to remain on-site overnight as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
The fire primarily affected the west wing of Somerset House, an area used for offices rather than art collections. The Courtauld Gallery, located in the building's north wing and home to masterpieces spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, was not directly impacted.
Jonathan Reekie, director of the Somerset House Trust, remarked that it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage but expressed confidence that only a small portion of the building had been affected. He also mentioned that while Somerset House would remain closed to the public until further notice, the Courtauld Gallery is expected to reopen on Sunday.
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