“Massive Blaze Engulfs Iconic Somerset House: 100 Firefighters in Epic Battle to Save Historic London Landmark”_L
London‘s iconic Somerset House is on fire – with 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters at the scene as smoke pours from its roof.
Video shared on social media showed dark smoke pouring from the building’s western edge alongside Waterloo Bridge.
Other angles taken from above showed flames licking at the building’s roof towards its southern edge on Victoria Embankment, which has been closed off while firefighters attend the incident.
Somerset House initially described the fire as taking hold in ‘one small part’ of the building but has since retracted the statement. It has been contacted for further comment.
The London Fire Brigade said dozens of firefighters were at the scene. Fire officers could be seen on the roof of the former stately home, which looks onto the Strand.
The cause of the fire is not yet known – but Google Maps data suggests traffic at the bridge and on Aldwych is at a standstill as the blaze is tackled with urgency at the world famous arts centre.
An eyewitness said on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Looks to be a fire breaking out at Somerset house. Smoke is coming from the back of the complex and filling the square, people are now being ushered out.’
The London Fire Brigade said dozens of firefighters were at the scene. Fire officers could be seen on the roof of the former stately home, which looks onto the Strand.
It said in a statement: ‘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 buildings roof. Two of the Brigade’s 32m ladders have been sent to the scene to support firefighting operations.
‘Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.
‘The Brigade’s Control Officers have taken over 20 calls reporting the fire, with the first received at 1159.
‘Crews from Soho, Dowgate, Islington and surrounding fire stations are attending the scene.
‘The cause of the fire is not yet known.’
The fire as seen from further up the river, past the Hungerford and Golden Jubilee Bridges
Somerset House says the fire is in ‘one small part’ of the building but added that it had nevertheless closed the building while the blaze was tackled
Somerset House said the fire was ‘small’ and contained within part of the building – but nevertheless opted to close. It had been due to hold London Battle, a breakdancing event, today.
It said on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Owing to a fire in one small part of Somerset House, the site is currently closed. London Battle and other events today will not take place. We apologise for any inconvenience.’
However, it deleted the statement a short time later and has not issued another in its place. Somerset House has been contacted for further comment.
The venue was originally built as a Tudor palace for the Duke of Somerset in 1547 but is ow an arts centre describing itself as ‘a home of cultural innovation and connects artists and designers with wider society’.
The current building was designed by Sir William Chambers in 1776 with further extensions added on in the Victorian era – and now hosts a combination of free and ticketed exhibitions.
It hosts a range of art exhibitions, music events and craft fairs and welcomes thousands of visitors each year.
This is a breaking story – more to follow.
