Fire Erupts at Residence Housing Priceless Van Gogh and Monet Works

On Saturday, a fire erupted at Somerset House, a prominent arts venue in central London, prompting an impressive response from more than 125 firefighters. This historical site houses invaluable collections by renowned artists including Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Smoke and flames were reported around noon local time, with visible infernos rising from the roof. However, several hours later, firefighters managed to control the blaze, utilizing ladder trucks to douse the flames from above. Video footage revealed significant damage to the roof, indicating that the fire had burned through in one area of the structure.

The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, according to statements from the London Fire Brigade. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries among staff or the public.

Somerset House confirmed that both employees and visitors were safe and assured that the artworks were located away from the affected area. The venue was scheduled for a breakdancing event that has since been canceled due to the incident.

In a message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Somerset House announced the temporary closure of the site and expressed regret for the disruption of its planned events, including the “London Battle.”

The director of Somerset House Trust, Jonathan Reekie, provided additional insights, stating, “A fire was spotted at about midday in one corner of the west wing. The site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade was called, who arrived very quickly.” He emphasized that the west wing primarily comprises offices and support facilities, and thankfully, no artworks were present in that section.

The fire occurred on the opposite side of Somerset House from The Courtauld Gallery, which boasts masterpieces like Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” and “The Descent From The Cross” by Peter Paul Rubens. This fortunate placement of the gallery suggests that the significant artworks remained safe during the incident.

This neoclassical building has an extensive history, having undergone reconstruction nearly 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished due to neglect. The initial palace was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was executed later at the Tower of London. Furthermore, Queen Elizabeth I spent five years in the palace as a princess before her ascension to the throne.

The commitment shown by the London Fire Brigade in handling this emergency reflects the readiness of local services to respond to such incidents swiftly. As they continued to work on controlling the fire and assessing the damage, their effort highlighted the importance of fire safety in cultural institutions housing priceless heritage.

As investigations into the cause of the fire progress, Somerset House is expected to remain closed for the time being. The facility’s management aims to ensure the safety of all its guests and staff before making any decisions regarding reopening or rescheduling events.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats faced by historical sites and their invaluable collections. The swift action taken by emergency services highlights the significance of preparedness in safeguarding cultural heritage.