Somerset House: Around 100 firefighters tackle blaze at historic London building

CNN
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A fire has broken out at London’s historic Somerset House, with more than 100 firefighters working at the scene to contain the blaze.

Smoke was seen rising from the roof of the building in central London. Firefighters are working from a crane to tackle the blaze.

The building was formerly the headquarters of the Royal Navy, but is now used as a cultural centre. An exhibition within the complex includes a self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh with his ear bandaged.

Somerset House director Jonathan Rickie told PA Media the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, where offices and backroom facilities are located. “There are no artworks in that area,” Rickie was quoted as saying by PA Media.

About 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were deployed to Somerset House, according to the London Fire Brigade.

Crews are battling the flames on part of the building’s roof, using two 32-meter (about 105-foot) department ladders, the fire department said in a statement.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and Somerset House has been closed to the public while the blaze is being fought, the statement said.

The complex was first built in the 16th century, although it was demolished and rebuilt in the 18th century.

The house takes its name from Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who built it as a palace for himself in 1547. The duke was executed in the Tower of London a few years later, and ownership of his palace passed to the Crown.

In 1604, the Treaty of London was signed inside the building, ending the 19-year Anglo-Spanish War. The building later served as the headquarters of the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War, and narrowly escaped being burned down in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Somerset House is now a venue for creative events and exhibitions. It is home to the Cortauld Gallery, which has works by Manet, Van Gogh and Monet in its collection. Kings College London also houses the Faculty of Law in the east wing of the complex.

It has served as a versatile filming location and can be seen in the backdrops of films and TV shows such as “Downton Abbey,” “Love Actually” and “X Men: First Class.”

On Saturday, she said a dance battle was due to take place in the building’s open-air courtyard, with “a day of dance and dance performances, workshops, a live DJ and a big outdoor party, all culminating in a head-to-head dance battle between the four corners of London”.

“All staff and members of the public are safe and the site is closed,” Somerset House said in a statement on its website. “London Fire Brigade arrived quickly and we are working closely with them to control the spread of the fire.”

This story has been updated with additional information.