Fire Breaks Out at London’s Somerset House

A fire broke out at Somerset House in central London on Saturday, affecting the roof of the historic arts venue but causing no harm to priceless artworks, including pieces by Van Gogh and Cezanne. Approximately 125 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze, which started around midday in the west wing, primarily composed of offices and support facilities. Fortunately, all staff and the public were evacuated safely with no reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the venue has been closed while the London Fire Brigade continues its efforts to extinguish the flames. Somerset House was scheduled to host a breakdancing event on the day of the fire, which has since been canceled. The Courtauld Gallery, which houses significant artworks, is expected to reopen shortly, as it was unaffected by the incident.