London: A significant fire broke out at London’s Somerset House, sending clouds of smoke across the city’s skyline and prompting a massive response from emergency services. Twenty fire engines and approximately 125 firefighters were deployed by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to combat the blaze.
The fire, which started on Saturday just before midday, primarily affected part of the building’s roof. “Crews are tackling flames located in part of the building’s roof,” the LFB confirmed in a statement, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, according to the police.
Somerset House, situated on the banks of the River Thames in central London, was once a royal palace and now functions as a major arts, cultural, and entertainment center. The North Wing of the building houses the Courtauld Gallery, known for its collection of masterpieces ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
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“Somerset House is currently closed due to a fire which has broken out in one small part of the building.” Somerset House posted on X. “All staff and public are safe and the site is closed. The London Fire Brigade arrived swiftly and we’re working very closely with them to control the spread of the fire.”
The historic Somerset House dates back to 1547 and was the residence of Princess Elizabeth before her coronation as Queen Elizabeth I in 1558. It also served as the headquarters of the Parliamentary Army during the English Civil War and was once home to both the Admiralty and the Inland Revenue. Remarkably, it narrowly escaped destruction during the Great Fire of London in 1666.
