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Smoke is seen rising into the sky from a fire on the roof of Somerset House along the River Thames in London on August 17, 2024. About 100 firefighters tackled a large blaze at London’s historic Somerset House cultural centre on Saturday, with images posted on social media showing flames shooting from beneath the roof. | Photo credit: AFP
About 125 firefighters battled a major blaze at London’s historic Somerset House cultural centre on Saturday, with flames shooting through the roof.
The London Fire Brigade posted on X (formerly Twitter): “20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters are battling a fire at Somerset House. Crews are working to control the fire on the roof of the building.”
The official X account of the Renaissance building, which opened in 1796, states that “owing to a fire affecting a small section of Somerset House, the site is closed for the time being.” It also states that “all staff and members of the public are safe.”
The complex is home to the Courtauld Gallery, which houses priceless paintings, including Vincent van Gogh’s “Ear Bandaged, Self-Portrait.”
Other footage from central London showed a thick plume of smoke rising above the building, extending about 180 metres along the River Thames.
The courtyard of this magnificent building hosts concerts in the summer and a popular ice skating rink in the winter, as featured in the 2003 film “Love Actually.”
It has also appeared in two James Bond films, the 2008 film “The Duchess” starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, and Tim Burton’s 1999 horror film “Sleepy Hollow.”
The fire service said two 32-metre ladders were sent to the scene to assist in firefighting operations.
“The entire premises of Somerset House have been closed to the public until we bring the fire under control. Traffic in the surrounding area will be affected as crews work to extinguish the fire,” it said.
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