Blaze rips through Somerset House but public and priceless artworks marked safe

17 August 2024, 13:27 | Updated: 17 August 2024, 17:09

Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were dispatched to tackle a blaze at London's famous Somerset House on The Strand after smoke was seen coming from its roof on Saturday afternoon.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze was in part of the building's roof and that two of the brigade's 32m ladders had been sent to support the operation.

There are no reported injuries, the Metropolitan Police has said while LFB have said the cause of the fire is unknown.

Videos posted on social media show grey smoke rising into the air and over the River Thames and nearby Waterloo Bridge.

Priceless artworks, including a Van Gogh painting, have not been damaged in the blaze, Somerset House confirmed, and all public were marked “safe”.

Staff and visitors to the gallery were seen standing outside and clouds of grey smoke could be seen several streets away.

Due to heavy smoke, the London Ambulance Service asked people to avoid the area and told local businesses to keep windows and doors shut.

A statement from LFB said: "The brigade's control officers have taken over 10 calls reporting the fire, with the first received at 11.59am. Crews from Soho, Dowgate, Islington and surrounding fire stations are attending the scene.

The Met Police said officers were called at 12:25 and attended along with LFB firefighters.

In a post on social media, the arts venue said “all staff and public are safe”, and that the building had been closed.

Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, which is mainly comprised of offices and “back-of-house” facilities, and there are “no artworks in that area”.

The Courtauld Gallery, located in the north wing, is home to a collection of famous paintings including Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 self-portrait of himself with a bandaged ear.

Mr Reekie, 59, has been director of the trust for 10 years and told the PA news agency: “What I can confirm is that a fire was spotted at about midday in one corner of west wing, the site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade called, who arrived very quickly indeed.

“Everybody is safe and for now we want to let the London Fire Brigade get on and do their brilliant work.”

The gallery also houses works by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne.

London Ambulance urged people to avoid the area and told local businesses to keep their windows and doors closed.

A witness told PA she saw smoke “billowing out of control” as she passed and that, at first, she thought the smell of smoke was coming from a barbecue.

Michelle Birkby, 50, who lives in London and is a writer, said: “I was walking along the South Bank, and could smell smoke, looked up and saw smoke coming out of the top of Somerset House.

“At first I assumed it was a barbecue in the courtyard, or some sort of event, but then I heard the fire engines, realised the smoke was billowing out of control and that Somerset House was on fire.

Queen Elizabeth I is among the former stately home’s previous residents, having lived there from the age of 20 before she became queen in 1558, according to Somerset House’s website.

The building is currently used as an arts and events venue and was due to be hosting a day of breakdancing on Saturday.

Fire wardens in high-vis jackets escorted people away from the venue carrying signs that said “fire assembly point”.

At least five London Fire Brigade vehicles were stationed outside the Somerset House arches on the Strand.

More fire engines could be seen inside the courtyard where thick smoke was visible.The cause of the fire is not known, the London Fire Brigade said.