A fire broke out in Somerset House in central London: 125 firefighters were on the scene
One of the largest art centers in the world, Somerset House in London, caught fire. About 125 firefighters participated in extinguishing the blaze.
A fire broke out in the Somerset House art center in central London on August 17, reports The Guardian.
The fire started around noon, and by 11:59 AM, the London Fire Brigade received a report of the blaze. Twenty fire engines and about 125 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, including crews from various city districts such as Soho, Dowgate, and Islington.
The fire was contained in the west wing of the building, which, according to Somerset House director Jonathan Reekie, did not house any artworks.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. According to the latest reports, no one was injured.
Police and museum staff promptly evacuated visitors, and everyone is safe.
Somerset House representatives noted that the art center is temporarily closed to visitors, and traffic in the surrounding area is restricted due to the ongoing work of firefighters.
Background
Somerset House is a public building in classical style in London, located between the Strand and the Thames, near Waterloo Bridge.
The Somerset House collection includes works by Van Gogh, Manet, and Cézanne, making it one of the 20 most visited art museums in the world.