Most parts of Somerset House in London have been shut to the public following a fire, officials state. The iconic building has been partially reopened despite sustaining roof damage from the blaze. A spokesperson mentions that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. Fortunately, the Courtauld Gallery within Somerset House, housing valuable artworks like Van Gogh’s self-portrait, remains unaffected and has reopened to the public. However, the rest of Somerset House will remain closed until further notice.
An event scheduled for Sunday, called Daytimes x RepresentAsian, focusing on South Asian creativity, was cancelled due to the fire. The London Fire Brigade deployed 125 firefighters and 20 engines to tackle the blaze at the historic venue in central London. Crews were still working to extinguish remaining fire pockets at 6pm on the day of the incident, with no reported injuries, according to LFB.
Director Jonathan Reekie of Somerset House Trust confirmed that the fire occurred in the building’s west wing, containing offices and support facilities, with no artworks in that area. Reekie expressed gratitude to emergency services and stated that Somerset House would remain closed to the public until further notice, except for the Courtauld art gallery and institute.
Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant expressed concern for the impact of the fire on Somerset House, known for its galleries and creative spaces, and hoped for a swift reopening to visitors. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the London Fire Brigade. Meanwhile, the public is advised to steer clear of the area as investigations continue. Residents were urged to keep windows and doors closed during the incident.