Public and priceless artworks safe as blaze rips through Somerset House roof

Priceless artworks, including a Van Gogh painting, have not been damaged and all public are “safe” after a fire ripped through the roof of historic Somerset House.

London Fire Brigade said 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were helping to tackle the blaze in central London that broke out on Saturday.

In a post on social media, the arts venue said “all staff and public are safe”, and that the building had been closed.

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”.

The Courtauld Gallery, located in the north wing, is home to a collection of famous paintings including Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 self-portrait of himself with a bandaged ear.

Mr Reekie, 59, has been director of the trust for 10 years and told the PA news agency: “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.”

The gallery also houses works by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne.

Professor Mark Hallett, Marit Rausing director of The Courtauld, said: “The Courtauld, including our galleries and collection of artworks, is unaffected by the fire.

“As a precaution, we have closed the galleries for the rest of the day.”

London Ambulance urged people to avoid the area and told local businesses to keep their windows and doors closed.

A witness told PA she saw smoke “billowing out of control” as she passed and that, at first, she thought the smell of smoke was coming from a barbecue.

Michelle Birkby, 50, who lives in London and is a writer, said: “I was walking along the South Bank, and could smell smoke, looked up and saw smoke coming out of the top of Somerset House.

“At first I assumed it was a barbecue in the courtyard, or some sort of event, but then I heard the fire engines, realised the smoke was billowing out of control and that Somerset House was on fire.”

Queen Elizabeth I is among the former stately home’s previous residents, having lived there from the age of 20 before she became queen in 1558, according to Somerset House’s website.

The building is currently used as an arts and events venue and was due to be hosting a day of breakdancing on Saturday.

The London Battle was set to run from 2pm to 8.30pm, celebrating the sport’s Olympic debut in Paris, but has now been cancelled, staff said.

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”.

Fire wardens in high-vis jackets escorted people away from the venue carrying signs that said “fire assembly point”.

At least five London Fire Brigade vehicles were stationed outside the Somerset House arches on the Strand.

More fire engines could be seen inside the courtyard where thick smoke was visible.

The cause of the fire is not known, the London Fire Brigade said.