Saturday, August 17, 2024 Approximately 125 firefighters are currently battling a fire at Somerset House, a renowned historic arts venue in central London. The London Fire Brigade responded swiftly after receiving a call just before noon local time, deploying 20 fire engines to the scene. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
Somerset House announced on X that the site is closed “due to a fire in a small part of the building,” assuring that “all staff and the public are safe.” The London Ambulance Service has urged people to “avoid the area due to the high volume of smoke” and advised local businesses to keep windows and doors shut. Two 105-foot ladders have been deployed to tackle the flames, which have been reported in part of the building’s roof.
Somerset House had planned to host a day of breakdancing on Saturday, but the event, along with others, has now been canceled. Originally a stately home and the official residence of the Queen of England during much of the 17th century, Somerset House was gradually transformed into an arts venue. Since 1989, it has been home to the Courtauld Institute of Art.
The Courtauld Gallery, housed within Somerset House, boasts one of the U.K.’s most prestigious art collections, featuring works by Vincent Van Gogh, Édouard Manet, and Paul Cézanne.
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