Fire breaks out at London’s Somerset House, artworks safe

Sunday, August 18, 2024

A fire broke out at the historic Somerset House in central London on Saturday, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

While the blaze caused significant damage to the building’s roof, officials confirmed that priceless artworks by renowned artists such as Monet, Cezanne, and Van Gogh were unharmed.

Firefighters responded swiftly to the incident, working to contain the flames and prevent further damage.

The blaze, which originated in the west wing of the building, was brought under control by the evening, but crews remained on the scene throughout the night.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Somerset House, a prominent cultural venue, was evacuated as a precaution, and a planned breakdancing event was canceled.

However, the nearby Courtauld Gallery, home to a renowned art collection, was unaffected and is scheduled to reopen on Sunday.

The building, a neoclassical masterpiece, was reconstructed in the 18th century on the site of a previous palace that once housed Queen Elizabeth I.

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