Authorities will mount an investigation to determine the cause of a rooftop fire at London's historic Somerset House, amid relief that priceless artworks were not damaged in the blaze.
The cause of the fire, which was first reported just before midday, is not known.
There were no reported injuries.
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 building is used as an arts and events venue and was due to be hosting a day of breakdancing on Saturday.
Michelle Birkby, 50, who lives in London and is a writer, was walking along the South Bank and could smell smoke.
"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," Birkby said.
"It's a place I visit quite often and I know it's beautiful and I really hope they can stop the fire before it does too much damage."
Somerset House said on social media that the venue is currently closed due to a fire which has broken out in one small part of the building.
"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."
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.
Firefighters Tackle Blaze at Somerset House
LONDON -- Priceless paintings by Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh and others were unharmed Saturday after firefighters worked to douse a blaze that broke out in the roof of Somerset House, a large central London arts venue, officials said.
Heavy smoke and flames seen coming from the top of the historic building around noon had been knocked down by firefighters who poured water on it from buckets on ladder trucks.
Firefighters were working to extinguish the final pockets of flames in the early evening and were expected to be on the scene until Sunday, said Keeley Foster, assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade.
“The age and design of the building proved a challenge to crews as they initially responded,” Foster said.
The complex and technical response required the use of a 63-meter (205-foot) ladder to reach the flames and fire breaks had to be created in the roof to limit the spread of flames.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, Foster said.
Staff and the public were safe and artworks were not in the area of the fire, a Somerset House official said.
“A fire was spotted at about midday in one corner of the west wing, the site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade called, who arrived very quickly," Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, said. “The west wing is mainly offices and back-of-house facilities, there are no artworks in that area.”
The venue next to the River Thames had been scheduled to host a breakdancing event to celebrate the sport’s debut at the Paris Olympics that was canceled.
The fire was on the opposite side of the large complex from The Courtauld Gallery that features works such as Vincent Van Gogh's “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” and “The Descent From The Cross” by Peter Paul Rubens.
The gallery is scheduled to reopen Sunday, Reekie said.
The neoclassical building was reconstructed nearly 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished after becoming neglected.
The original palace was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was later executed at the Tower of London.
Queen Elizabeth I lived in the palace as a princess for five years before ascending to the throne.
Somerset House Remains Closed After Fire
Part of the Somerset House complex is open to the public today despite a fire which damaged the roof of the central London arts venue on Saturday.
The Courtauld Gallery, home to priceless artwork including Vincent Van Gogh's 1889 self-portrait showing him with a bandaged ear and paintings by Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne, was "not directly impacted" by the blaze and will reopen to the public.
An investigation by London Fire Brigade into the blaze is taking place with the main venue closed "until further notice".
An event entitled Daytimers x RepresentAsian, described as "a day dedicated to South Asian creativity" that was set to take place on Sunday was cancelled, while London Battle, a celebration of breakdancing following its inclusion at the Olympics, was called off on Saturday.
London Fire Brigade said 125 firefighters and 20 engines helped to tackle the blaze. There were no reported injuries.
Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, mainly comprised of offices and "back-of-house" facilities, and there were no artworks in that area.
He said it was "too early to comment on the building's condition" and thanked emergency services for their work tackling the flames.
A Historical Landmark
As well as being one of the capital's most important art venues, it is also of huge historical significance.
The neoclassical building was reconstructed nearly 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished after becoming neglected.
The original palace was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was later executed at the Tower of London.
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.
It was also the headquarters of the Parliamentary Army from 1642 during the English Civil War, and is a former home of both the Admiralty and the Inland Revenue.
Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant said the government was liaising with the venue to "understand the impact and damage" caused by the fire.
He added: "I am sorry to hear about the fire at Somerset House, this historic building is home to some of London's great galleries and creative spaces.
"I am very pleased that there are no casualties and hope that Somerset House can reopen to visitors as soon as possible."
