Historic Somerset House Fire Under Control After 125 Firefighters' Efforts

A fire at Somerset House in London required 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines to contain. The blaze was brought under control in the evening. The fire's cause remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing. The iconic building was evacuated, and planned events were canceled.

A fire that erupted at London's historic Somerset House on Saturday required 125 firefighters to contain it, according to reports from CNN. Smoke was seen rising from the roof, covering central London with a thick haze. Firefighters used cranes to tackle the blaze.

The building, which now serves as a cultural center, formerly housed the Royal Navy. It contains a gallery with Vincent Van Gogh's self-portrait with a bandaged ear, among other notable works, as reported by CNN. The London Fire Brigade announced on the social media platform X that the fire is now under control and investigations into its cause will soon begin, with crews expected to remain on-site for further operations.

A total of 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were sent to Somerset House, the London Fire Brigade confirmed. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and Somerset House has been closed to the public during the incident. The crews used two 32-meter ladders to manage the flames in part of the building's roof, the statement added.

The fire brigade received the call just before midday, and the fire was finally brought under control shortly before 7 pm local time, CNN reported. Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster from the London Fire Brigade informed reporters that the crew had to carry out a complex and technical operation, which included creating fire breaks in the roof to limit the fire's spread. She added that they are now extinguishing the final pockets of flames.

Somerset House, originally built in the 1500s and later reconstructed in the 1700s, is now a hub for creative events and exhibitions. It houses the Courtauld Gallery, which features works by artists such as Manet, Van Gogh, and Monet. King’s College London also has its school of law in the east wing of the building. Additionally, Somerset House is a popular filming location, having appeared in productions like 'Downton Abbey,' 'Love Actually,' and 'X Men: First Class,' according to reports.

The fire incident also led to the cancellation of a scheduled dance battle in the building's open-air courtyard, a day-long event featuring dance showcases, workshops, live DJs, and a head-to-head dance battle. Somerset House stated that all staff and the public were safe and that they are working closely with fire officials to control the situation.