A 250-year-old historical monument in London was engulfed in flames
Somerset House, an iconic symbol of London and the venue for many historic events, was engulfed in a fire. This 250-year-old arts and culture center in central London is home to precious works of art by famous artists and has long been a testament to the city’s rich heritage. .
At around midday on 17 August, a fierce fire broke out at Somerset House, prompting an emergency response from the London Fire Brigade. The fire department deployed 20 fire trucks, including ladder trucks and specialized fire-fighting equipment, along with 125 personnel to the scene.
Photos and videos on social networks recorded thick smoke billowing from the roof of the building. Firefighters used two 32-meter-high ladders to extinguish the fire from above and used drones to survey the fire’s location.
According to the Director of Somerset House Trust, the fire was contained to the west wing of the building, which contains office space and facilities, and did not affect the art collections. By 7 p.m. the same day, the fire was completely controlled, although initial images showed a small part of the roof was damaged.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. Somerset House, located along the River Thames, was originally built in the 1500s. It was rebuilt in the 1700s after being destroyed and is revered as a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture. The building is named after the Duke of Somerset, who originally commissioned it as a palace in 1547.
After the Duke’s execution in 1552 and subsequent transfer of ownership to the British Crown, the building served various purposes before falling into disrepair and being demolished in 1775. The present Somerset stands on the site of its predecessor and was designed by Sir William Chambers.
The north wing of the building now houses the Courtauld Gallery, which boasts one of the world’s most important art collections, including a self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh and famous works by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne.
