London landmark, Somerset House, is battling flames with the assistance of 125 firefighters. Following a fire that tore through the roof of Somerset House in central London, about 125 firefighters are on the scene.
Fortunately, after the fire, all public areas are “safe” and priceless artworks, including a Van Gogh painting, have not been damaged.
To assist firefighters, the London Fire Brigade has dispatched two of its 32-meter ladders and fifteen fire engines to The Strand.
Workers are extinguishing fires in a section of the building’s roof.
Social media videos displayed plumes of smoke rising from the well-known London landmark.
Public access to Somerset House has been suspended while firefighters battle the fire.
The public and employees are safe, according to a post made by Somerset House on X, the platform that was formerly known as Twitter.
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”.
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.”
Traffic is the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.
The London Fire Brigade’s control officers have taken over 30 calls reporting the fire, with the first coming in just before midday.
Crews from Soho, Dowgate, Islington and surrounding fire stations are attending the scene.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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.
The gallery also houses works by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne.
