Firefighters responded swiftly to the incident, which occurred around midday, battling heavy smoke and flames seen billowing from the historic building. The age and design of the building presented a significant challenge, requiring a 205-foot ladder to reach the flames and the creation of fire breaks in the roof to prevent further spread. Crews worked diligently throughout the day to extinguish the remaining pockets of fire, and were expected to remain at the scene until Sunday.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
A Somerset House official confirmed that staff and members of the public were safely evacuated, and no artworks were in the affected area. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, stated that the fire was contained to the west wing, which primarily houses offices and back-of-house facilities.
The incident led to the cancellation of a breakdancing event scheduled to take place at Somerset House, celebrating the sport's debut at the Paris Olympics. The event was to be held on the opposite side of the large complex from The Courtauld Gallery, which features works such as Vincent Van Goghâs "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear" and "The Descent From The Cross" by Peter Paul Rubens. The gallery is set to reopen on Sunday as planned.
The neoclassical Somerset House, reconstructed nearly 250 years ago after the original building fell into disrepair, has a rich history. The original palace, built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth I during her childhood.
While the fire caused disruption and anxiety, the swift response of the fire brigade and the fortunate positioning of the artworks ensured that this significant cultural landmark suffered minimal damage.
