Firefighters battle a blaze at Somerset House in central London on Saturday after a fire broke out in the large neoclassical art center. Shivansh Gupta/PA via AP
LONDON – Priceless paintings by Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh and others remained unscathed Saturday after firefighters tried to extinguish a blaze that broke out in the roof of Somerset House, a major arts center in central London, officials said.
By midday, thick smoke and flames had risen from the roof of the historic building, which the fire brigade had mowed down by pouring water on them from buckets on turntable ladders.
Firefighters were working to extinguish the last flames in the early evening and were expected to remain on site until Sunday, said Keeley Foster, deputy chief of the London Fire Brigade.
“The age and construction of the building presented a challenge for emergency responders on their first call,” said Foster.
The complex and technical measures required the use of a 63-meter-long ladder to reach the flames. In addition, firebreaks had to be created in the roof to contain the spread of the flames.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, Foster said.
Staff and visitors were safe and no artwork was in the fire area, a Somerset House official said.
“Around midday a fire was discovered in a corner of the West Wing, the site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade was called, who were on the scene very quickly,” said Jonathan Reekie, director of the Somerset House Trust. “The West Wing consists mainly of offices and back-of-house facilities, there are no works of art in this area.”
The venue on the Thames was due to host a breakdancing event to celebrate the sport’s debut at the Paris Olympic Games, but it was cancelled.
The fire broke out on the opposite side of the large complex from the Courtauld Gallery, which houses works such as Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self-portrait with a bandaged ear” and Peter Paul Rubens’ “The Descent from the Cross.”
The gallery is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Reekie said.
The neoclassical building was reconstructed almost 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished due to neglect.
The original palace was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was later executed in the Tower of London.
Queen Elizabeth I lived in the palace as a princess for five years before ascending the throne.
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