Somerset House hearth: Around 125 firefighters and 20 hearth engines sort out blaze at London arts venue | EUROtoday

The London Ambulance Service has requested folks to keep away from the world if they will and suggested native companies to maintain home windows and doorways shut “due to the high volume of smoke”.

The director of Somerset House Trust stated the fireplace broke out within the west wing of the constructing and there are “no artworks in that area”.

Jonathan Reekie, 59, has been director of the belief for 10 years and advised the PA information company: “What I can confirm is that a fire was spotted at about midday in one corner of west wing, the site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade called, who arrived very quickly indeed.

“Everybody is safe and for now we want to let the London Fire Brigade get on and do their brilliant work.

“The west wing is mainly offices and back-of-house facilities, there are no artworks in that area.”

Mr Reekie stated he was not contained in the constructing when the fireplace broke out.

A fireplace alarm was nonetheless sounding as he spoke on the sting of the cordon outdoors the Somerset House arches at about 2.30pm.

Passers-by have been sat on chairs close by consuming their lunches and watching the scene.

The belief is a registered charity and the Charity Commission web site says it was established in 1997 “to enhance the education of the public by the provision of a centre for the arts and to maintain the buildings for the benefit of the local and international community as an example of English national heritage”.

It added: “At its heart lies a creative community of innovative businesses and social enterprises which contribute to the vibrancy and energy of the site.”

Sky Garden guests have been in a position to see smoke billow into the air from Somerset House on Saturday.

A fireplace broke out on the artwork centre’s roof as 125 firefighters rushed to the scene

London Fire Brigade stated 125 firefighters and 20 hearth engines have been now serving to to sort out the Somerset House blaze.

Alan Robinson, 71, a Catholic priest who works close by Somerset House and lives in Covent Garden, stated he was anxious concerning the “irreplaceable” artwork assortment within the Courtauld Gallery.

The assortment contains masterpieces starting from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century.

He advised the PA information company: “The Courtauld Gallery is in there, I have no idea what the value of the collection is, but it’s millions (of pounds) – irreplaceable stuff.”

A big poster of Vincent Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear was displayed on the railings, which is listed as part of the Courtauld assortment on the gallery’s web site.

Plumes of gray smoke will be seen from throughout the River Thames as a hearth broke out at London’s Somerset House on Saturday.

Around 100 firefighters rushed to the humanities centre after a blaze broke out in a part of the buildings roof.

Smoke will be seen a number of streets away and movies on social media present clouds billowing over the River Thames close by Waterloo Bridge.

Around 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze within the roof on London’s Somerset House.

A spokesman stated: “Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been deployed to a fire at Somerset House.

“Crews are tackling flames located in part of the building’s roof. Two of the brigade’s 32m ladders have been sent to the scene to support firefighting operations.

“The entire site at Somerset House is now closed to the public whilst we tackle the fire. Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

“The cause of the fire is not yet known.”

Fire wardens in high-vis jackets escorted folks away from the venue carrying indicators that stated “fire assembly point”.

At least 5 London Fire Brigade automobiles have been stationed outdoors the Somerset House arches on the Strand.

More hearth engines might be seen contained in the courtyard the place thick smoke was seen.

Somerset House have issued an announcement on the fireplace that has damaged out on its premises.

The arts venue in central London was as a consequence of be internet hosting a day of breakdancing when the blaze started.

The former stately dwelling wrote on X/Twitter: “Somerset House is currently closed due to a fire which has broken out in one small part of the building. All staff and public are safe and the site is closed.

“The London Fire Brigade arrived swiftly and we’re working very closely with them to control the spread of the fire.”