Priceless artworks housed in London's Somerset House — including paintings by Van Gogh and Monet — were unaffected by a fire that erupted at the historic building on Saturday, according to the gallery.
The neoclassical cultural complex stretching 180 metres along the Thames River was meant to be hosting a breakdancing competition on Saturday when a column of smoke began wafting above the centre, prompting dozens of calls to the fire department.
Around 125 firefighters and 20 engines worked to tamp out the flames that ripped through the roof of the western wing, bringing the blaze at the more than 450-year-old site under control before 7pm local time.
"The fire at #SomersetHouse is now under control and investigations into the cause will begin," the London Fire Brigade posted on X.
Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster lamented that the "age and design of the building" added challenges for firefighters "as they initially responded".
Historic Courtauld Gallery unaffected
The building was once home to Queen Elizabeth I, before she was crowned in 1558.
Now, it's a cultural complex hosting a range of creative businesses and arts spaces including the Courtauld Gallery, which counts Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear among the masterpieces in its collection.
The courtyard of the grand building hosts music gigs in the summer and a popular ice rink in the winter, appearing in the 2003 film Love Actually.
It also appeared in the 2008 movie "The Duchess", starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, as well as Tim Burton's 1999 horror movie Sleepy Hollow and two James Bond films.
After the fire was brought under control, London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster told reporters from outside the landmark that firefighters found the smoke rising from part of the building's roof space.
Somerset House wrote on X that the affected area "will remain closed until further notice".
However, they clarified that the Courtauld Gallery "has not been directly impacted by the fire and it will remain open".
There were no reports of injuries as staff and visitors had left the building by the time fire crews arrived, the brigade added.
AFP/ABC
