Smoke has been seen billowing from the roof of the famous house on The Strand
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Around 125 firefighters are tackling a blaze raging for more than four hours at London’s famous Somerset House.
Smoke has been billowing from the roof of the iconic building on the north bank of the River Thames, with firefighters still seeking to bring the blaze under control.
People have been urged to avoid the area if possible and local businesses advised to shut doors and windows “due to the high volume of smoke”.
The fire was first reported just before midday, with fire crews from Soho, Dowgate, Islington and surrounding fire stations all attending the scene.
London Fire Brigade said: “Two of the brigade’s 32m ladders have been sent to the scene to support firefighting operations. Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Constructed over the course of more than 25 years and completed in 1801, Somerset House was long home to a multitude of public offices and royal institutions. It is now an arts venue and on Saturday was due to be hosting a day of breakdancing.
‘No artworks’ in area of fire
The Courtauld Gallery, located in the north wing of Somerset House, 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.
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, who has been director of the trust for 10 years, said: “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.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 17:28
Fire crews still at work at Somerset House
Fire crews have taken off their PPE but are still at work, and a fire engine was seen carefully driving through the narrow arches into the courtyard, the PA news agency reported just after 4:30pm.
Those reports came minutes after the London Fire Brigade said firefighters were continuing to work hard to bring the fire affecting part of the roof under control.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:55
Breakdancing event cancelled, staff say
A breakdancing event due to be held at Somerset House has been cancelled due to the fire, staff who work in the building have said.
The London Battle was set to run from 2pm to 8.30pm, celebrating the sport’s Olympic debut in Paris.
The event was described on the Somerset House website as “a day of dance and breaking showcases, workshops, live DJs and a big outdoor party, all culminating in a head-to-head dance battle between the four corners of London”.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:47
Firefighters still trying to bring blaze on roof under control
In a new update issued minutes ago, London Fire Brigade said firefighters were continuing to work hard to bring the fire affecting part of the roof at Somerset House under control.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:25
Motorists urged to avoid Somerset House area due to ‘significant disruption’
Motorists have been urged by the Metropolitan Police to avoid the roads surrounding Somerset House due to “significant disruption”
Scotland Yard said officers were assisting fire crew colleagues, adding: “There is significant disruption on surrounding roads. Please avoid the area.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:22
What is the history of Somerset House?
Constructed over the course of more than 25 years on the site of a palace formerly bearing the same name, the current Somerset House was completed in 1801, after which it was home to a multitude of public offices such as tax and registry offices, and institutions including the Royal Academy, Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries.
During the Second World War, it housed the vital Ministry of Supply and continued to be used as public offices before being repurposed as a public venue at the turn of the millennium.
The former palace, on which construction began in 1547, also had a rich history, having been used as a home to royalty, an army headquarters during the English Civil War, and the location at which the treaty to end the 19-year Anglo-Spanish War was negotiated and signed.
While swathes of the City of London was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, the palace – at that point named Denmark House – was spared, with the flames stopping just a short distance to the east.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 15:56
Security guard says firefighters’ work appears to be concluding
A Courtauld Gallery security guard, who gave his name as Rafal K, said the firefighters’ work appeared to be finished.
He exited the cordon shortly before 3pm and told a reporter: “It’s still not clear to let people back in, but it looks like the action of the firemen is finished. I’m still waiting for the manager on the shift to bring people back in.
“It will be security [who go in] first and then members of the public who can get their belongings in their lockers.”
He said he believed the locker room was “untouched” by the fire.
The plumes of smoke that were still visible inside the courtyard shortly before 2pm appeared to have ceased. Firefighters were sitting in chairs overlooking Somerset House, wearing T-shirts with their kit at their feet.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 15:31
Footage shows smoke billowing out of Somerset House
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 15:20
Local businesses told to keep windows shut ‘due to high volume of smoke’
The London Ambulance Service has asked people to avoid the area if they can and advised local businesses to keep windows and doors shut “due to the high volume of smoke”.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 15:16
‘No artworks’ in wing of building where blaze broke out
The director of Somerset House Trust said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building and there are “no artworks in that area”.
Jonathan 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 west wing is mainly offices and back-of-house facilities, there are no artworks in that area.”
Mr Reekie said he was not inside the building when the fire broke out.
A fire alarm was still sounding as he spoke on the edge of the cordon outside the Somerset House arches at about 2.30pm.
Passers-by were sat on chairs nearby eating their lunches and watching the scene.
The trust is a registered charity and the Charity Commission website says it was established in 1997 “to enhance the education of the public by the provision of a centre for the arts and to maintain the buildings for the benefit of the local and international community as an example of English national heritage”.
It added: “At its heart lies a creative community of innovative businesses and social enterprises which contribute to the vibrancy and energy of the site.”
Athena Stavrou17 August 2024 14:52
