More than 120 firefighters tackle blaze at London's Somerset House
On Saturday, a fire broke out at Somerset House in London, prompting a swift response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB). A total of 25 fire engines were dispatched after the alarm was raised shortly before noon. Thankfully, police confirmed that there were no injuries as a result of the blaze.
Somerset House, which overlooks the River Thames and has a history dating back to 1547, was once a royal palace and stately home. Today, it serves as a prominent arts, cultural, and entertainment venue. The fire occurred in the building's west wing, an area housing offices rather than any of the valuable artworks for which the venue is known.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster informed the media that the fire had primarily affected the roof space in that section of the building. She noted that the age and architectural design of Somerset House presented some challenges for the firefighting teams as they responded to the emergency. By the evening, firefighters were working to extinguish the last remaining pockets of fire, and the brigade planned to maintain a presence at the site overnight. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Jonathan Reekie, the director of Somerset House Trust, provided an update on the building’s condition. Although the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Reekie expressed confidence that only a small part of the structure had been affected. As a precaution, Somerset House will remain closed to the public until further notice. However, the Courtauld Gallery, which is located in the north wing of the complex and houses a vast collection of artwork spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, is scheduled to reopen to visitors on Sunday.
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