Artwork safe as blaze contained

A fireplace at Somerset Home in central London has been contained after round 125 firefighters have been known as to sort out the blaze.

In a joint press convention with the humanities venue, the London Fireplace Brigade (LFB) mentioned firefighters at the moment are working to “extinguish the ultimate pockets of fireside” positioned within the roof house.

The fireplace broke out within the west wing simply earlier than noon on Saturday, and the historic landmark will stay closed “till additional discover”. There have been no artworks in that a part of the constructing, a spokesman mentioned.

There aren’t any reported accidents and the reason for the hearth is presently beneath investigation.

Thick gray smoke could possibly be seen billowing into the air from the landmark constructing, over the River Thames and close by Waterloo Bridge.

Chatting with reporters, the LFB’s assistant commissioner Keeley Foster mentioned firefighters carried out a “advanced and technical response”.

They may stay on the scene into tomorrow, she added.

She was joined by Somerset Home’s director Jonathan Reekie, who mentioned: “It is too early to touch upon the constructing’s situation.”

He added the venue will stay closed till additional discover, however the Courtauld Gallery will reopen to the general public tomorrow.

In an earlier social media publish, Somerset Home mentioned the venue was closed because of the hearth, and all occasions on Saturday wouldn’t happen.

Following evacuation from the venue, employees and guests have been seen standing outdoors.

“All people is protected, there aren’t any precious artefacts or artworks in that a part of the constructing,” Mr Reekie instructed the BBC earlier.

“For now we simply need to let the London Fireplace Brigade get on and do their good work.”

Because of heavy smoke, the London Ambulance Service requested folks to keep away from the world and instructed native companies to maintain home windows and doorways shut.

Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant mentioned he hopes the venue can reopen as quickly as potential, and that his division is in contact with them.

“I’m sorry to listen to concerning the hearth at Somerset Home, this historic constructing is dwelling to a few of London’s nice galleries and artistic areas.”

Somerset Home is on the Strand in central London and is presently used as an arts venue. The Georgian period buildings and sq. have been constructed on the location of a palace courting again to the Tudors.

The venue can also be dwelling to the Courtauld Gallery, an artwork museum which homes the gathering of the Samuel Courtauld Belief, together with masterpieces starting from the Center Ages to the twentieth century.

Vincent Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear is a part of the Courtauld assortment, which additionally contains works by Impressionists Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne.

Somerset Home recurrently hosts exhibitions, experiences and ice skating inside its well-known courtyard.

LFB mentioned its crews have been tackling flames that are “positioned in a part of the constructing’s roof”.

Twenty hearth engines together with crews from Soho, Islington and surrounding hearth stations are on the scene, the Brigade added.

4 aerial ladders have been employed by the LFB, together with one 64m lengthy, to assist sort out the blaze, the Brigade’s assistant commissioner mentioned.

The Met Police mentioned officers have been known as at 12:25 and attended together with LFB firefighters.

Highway closures have been in place, the power mentioned including no person is considered inside Somerset Home.