The Courtauld Gallery located within Somerset House is set to reopen on Sunday, a spokesperson has said, despite firefighters continuing to battle a blaze in the roof of the iconic London venue.
Around 125 firefighters in total have spent more than six hours trying to extinguish the flames, with smoke has been billowing from the historic building on the north bank of the River Thames.
People had been urged to avoid the area if possible and local businesses advised to shut doors and windows “due to the high volume of smoke”.
The fire was first reported just before midday, and firefighters were still trying to extinguish the final pockets of flames in the roof as of 6pm, having created fire breaks in the roof to stop it from spreading in “a complex and technical response”, London Fire Brigade said.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Parts of Somerset House will remain closed to the public “until further notice”, but the Courtauld Gallery – which contains pricless artworks by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne – will reopen on Sunday, a spokesperson said.
Government in touch with Somerset House to understand scale of damage, minister says
Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “I am sorry to hear about the fire at Somerset House, this historic building is home to some of London’s great galleries and creative spaces.
“I am very pleased that there are no casualties and hope that Somerset House can reopen to visitors as soon as possible.
“My department is in touch with Somerset House so we can understand the impact and damage caused.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 18:57
Fire crews to remain at Somerset House into Sunday
Fire crews will remain at Somerset House into Sunday and there are no reports of any injuries, London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner has said.
“A number of staff and visitors left Somerset House before the Brigade arrived and there are no reports of any injuries,” Keeley Foster told a press conference.
“Crews have been working incredibly hard through the very hot weather and heat of the fire to protect Somerset House from further damage.
“I’d like to thank all our firefighters for their work so far. Crews will remain on scene into tomorrow, carrying out further operations.
“Throughout the incident we’ve worked closely with the staff at Somerset House in order to coordinate our response. I’d also like to thank the Metropolitan Police Service and London Ambulance Service for their support through the afternoon.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 18:30
Courtauld Gallery will reopen tomorrow
Parts of Somerset House will remain closed to the public “until further notice” but the Courtauld Gallery, containing pricless artworks, will reopen on Sunday, a spokesperson said.
Speaking to reporters outside the building, Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie said: “It’s too early to comment on the building’s condition, but I think, thanks to the efforts of the emergency services, I am confident that the damage is to one small part of the building
“As the London Fire Brigade continue their investigations and operations, Somerset House will remain closed to the public until further notice, but I am happy to say that the Courtauld art gallery and institute will remain open from tomorrow.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 18:11
Firefighters still extinguishing last pockets of blazes in roof
Keeley Foster, assistant commissioner at the London Fire Brigade, has said that the age and design of the building proved a challenge to fire crews as they initially responded.
“As a result, four of the brigades’ aerial ladders, including a 64-metre turntable ladder, were deployed to support firefighters as they carried out a complex and technical response.
“This included creating fire breaks in the roof, which has now limited the spread of flames.
“Crews are now working to extinguish the final pockets of fire.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 18:09
Dance troupes cheer as firefighters return their bags left inside the building
Dance troupes cheered loudly as firefighters returned their bags which had been left inside Somerset House.
Abisola Alli, 29, said she was rehearsing in a changing room with her dance group AfroQueens when they were told the building was being evacuated.
“Most of us left our stuff, some of us left our stuff, then we just went out to the courtyard – we were standing in the courtyard for a little bit, then it got quite serious because they were like, ‘you need to leave now’,” said Ms Alli.
“We ended up leaving then we’ve been outside since,” Ms Alli added, and said that smoke started to appear from the building around 30 to 45 minutes later.
“We just wanted to get our bags, to be honest, no stress though, because the sun was out so we just chilled in the park for a little bit,” she said. “We were worried our stuff would be affected. To be honest this stuff is replaceable but, you know, there’s nothing like having your stuff.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 17:58
‘No artworks’ in area of fire
The Courtauld Gallery, located in the north wing of Somerset House, is home to a collection of famous paintings including Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 self-portrait of himself with a bandaged ear. The gallery also houses works by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne.
Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, which is mainly comprised of offices and “back-of-house” facilities, and there are “no artworks in that area”.
Mr Reekie, who has been director of the trust for 10 years, said: “What I can confirm is that a fire was spotted at about midday in one corner of west wing, the site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade called, who arrived very quickly indeed.
“Everybody is safe and for now we want to let the London Fire Brigade get on and do their brilliant work.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 17:28
Fire crews still at work at Somerset House
Fire crews have taken off their PPE but are still at work, and a fire engine was seen carefully driving through the narrow arches into the courtyard, the PA news agency reported just after 4:30pm.
Those reports came minutes after the London Fire Brigade said firefighters were continuing to work hard to bring the fire affecting part of the roof under control.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:55
Breakdancing event cancelled, staff say
A breakdancing event due to be held at Somerset House has been cancelled due to the fire, staff who work in the building have said.
The London Battle was set to run from 2pm to 8.30pm, celebrating the sport’s Olympic debut in Paris.
The event was described on the Somerset House website as “a day of dance and breaking showcases, workshops, live DJs and a big outdoor party, all culminating in a head-to-head dance battle between the four corners of London”.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:47
Firefighters still trying to bring blaze on roof under control
In a new update issued minutes ago, London Fire Brigade said firefighters were continuing to work hard to bring the fire affecting part of the roof at Somerset House under control.
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:25
Motorists urged to avoid Somerset House area due to ‘significant disruption’
Motorists have been urged by the Metropolitan Police to avoid the roads surrounding Somerset House due to “significant disruption”
Scotland Yard said officers were assisting fire crew colleagues, adding: “There is significant disruption on surrounding roads. Please avoid the area.”
Andy Gregory17 August 2024 16:22