Around 100 firefighters are currently tackling a blaze at Somerset House, the iconic Grade I-listed building located on the Strand in central London. Plumes of smoke have been seen billowing from the roof of the historic structure, which serves as a major centre for arts and culture.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received its first call about the fire at 11:59 a.m. on Saturday and responded by sending 15 fire engines and crews from multiple stations, including Soho, Dowgate, and Islington, to the scene.
Crews are tackling flames located in part of the building’s roof. Two of the brigade’s 32-metre ladders have been sent to the scene to support firefighting operations,” an LFB spokesperson said. The entire site at Somerset House is now closed to the public while we tackle the fire. Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.”
The cause of the fire remains unknown. However, Somerset House assured the public via social media that all staff and visitors were safe, and that the fire had broken out in “one small part of the building.
Somerset House, originally a royal palace and at one time home to Queen Elizabeth I when she was a princess, has long been a cornerstone of London’s cultural life. The current building, which was constructed starting in 1775, now houses the Courtauld Gallery, a renowned art collection featuring works from the Renaissance through the 20th century.
Efforts to control the fire are ongoing, and authorities are working to prevent the blaze from spreading further. The LFB has urged people to avoid the area while firefighters remain at the scene.
