A blaze that broke out at London’s historic Somerset House on Saturday required around 125 firefighters to bring it under control, according to the London Fire Brigade. Smoke was seen rising over central London from the building’s roof as firefighters worked from a crane to douse the flames. The building was once home to the Royal Navy but is now used as a cultural center. A gallery inside the complex houses Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait of himself with a bandaged ear.
Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were deployed to Somerset House, according to the London Fire Brigade. The crews fought flames located in part of the building’s roof, the fire brigade said in a statement, with two of the brigade’s 32-meter (nearly 105 foot) ladders being used. It said the brigade had been called shortly before midday and had brought the fire under control by shortly before 7 p.m. local time.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, the statement said, and Somerset House has been closed to the public. The complex was first built in the 1500s, though it was demolished and rebuilt in the 1700s. The house gets its name from Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who built it as a palace for himself in 1547. The Duke was executed at the Tower in London a few years later, and ownership of his palace passed to the Crown.
In 1604, the Treaty of London was signed within the building, ending the 19-year Anglo-Spanish War. It later served as the headquarters for the parliamentary army during the English Civil War, and narrowly escaped burning in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Somerset House is now the host of creative events and exhibitions. It is home to the Cortauld Gallery, which counts works by Manet, Van Gogh, and Monet among those in its collection. Kings College London has its school of law in the complex’s east wing.
It has served as a versatile filming location and can be spotted in the backdrops of films and TV shows like ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Love Actually,’ and ‘X Men: First Class.’ On Saturday, it said a dance battle was supposed to be held in the building’s open air courtyard, with “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.” “All staff and public are safe and the site is closed,” Somerset House said in a statement on its website. The London Fire Brigade said its crews would remain on scene into Sunday.
Somerset House will undergo a “phased reopening” this weekend after more than 100 fire crews responded to a blaze at the former stately home on Saturday. In a statement on X, Somerset House said: “We are pleased to confirm that we are able to commence a phased reopening of Somerset House, following Saturday's fire.” It added the fire had been “successfully contained to one part of the building”. “London Fire Brigade's operation onsite has ended and its investigation will continue.”
The fire broke out in the west wing just before midday on Saturday. The house is used as an arts venue, and is also home to the Courtauld Gallery, an art museum that houses the collection of the Samuel Courtauld Trust, including masterpieces ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Van Gogh's famed Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear is one of the masterpieces housed in the gallery. However, there were no artworks in the part of the building that was on fire, a spokesman for the venue previously said. The spokesperson thanked the London Fire Brigade, emergency services and staff for “ensuring everyone's safety and preventing much greater destruction”.
“We have been very moved by expressions of support from around the world over the last few days, which has served as a reminder of how cherished Somerset House is as an arts destination and the home of cultural innovators, housing its unrivalled creative community of talented individuals and enterprises,” they added. “We would like to thank our audiences and community for their patience as we begin this reopening process.”
The venue will reopen on Saturday, with its exhibition The Lore of Loverboy and evening event the Mighty Crown Ball. The spokesperson said its “community of artists, makers and creative start-ups” based in its New Wing had begun to return to the site on Tuesday. Residents based in the workspaces of West and South Wing will follow as soon as possible, they added. Somerset House’s Georgian era buildings and square were built on the site of a palace dating back to the Tudors. It regularly hosts exhibitions, experiences and ice skating within its famous courtyard.
The Impact of the Fire on Somerset House
The fire at Somerset House is a reminder of the vulnerability of even the most iconic buildings to fire. The fire was contained to the west wing, but it could have been much worse. Thankfully, no one was injured and no artworks were damaged. The fire has also highlighted the importance of fire safety and the need for regular inspections and maintenance. Somerset House is a cultural treasure, and it is important that we take steps to protect it from future fires.
A Look at the History of Somerset House
Somerset House has a long and rich history. It was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, as a palace for himself. However, he was executed a few years later, and the palace passed to the Crown. In 1604, the Treaty of London was signed within the building, ending the Anglo-Spanish War. During the English Civil War, it served as the headquarters of the parliamentary army. It narrowly escaped being destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Somerset House has been used for a variety of purposes over the centuries. In the 18th century, it was redesigned as a grand government building. In the 19th century, it became home to the Royal Academy of Arts. In the 20th century, it was converted into a cultural center. Today, Somerset House is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. It hosts a variety of events, including exhibitions, concerts, and festivals. It is also home to the Courtauld Gallery, which houses a collection of masterpieces by some of the most famous artists in the world.
A Symbol of London's Rich Heritage
Somerset House is a symbol of London’s rich heritage. It is a reminder of the city’s long history and its enduring spirit. The fire at Somerset House is a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural treasures. It is also a reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Despite the challenges, Somerset House will continue to be a beacon of creativity and inspiration for generations to come.
