Commercial presentation Updated: 17/08/2024 20:43 Issued: 17/08/2024, 14:48
The fire at the neoclassical Somerset House in central London. 17 Aug. 2024. AP/Pol Allingham
London – Somerset House, a neoclassical palace, burned down in the center of London today. The fire was brought under control in the evening, no one was injured and the firefighters are putting out the last fires. Crews will remain on site until Sunday as a precaution. Acting Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Keeley Foster, said at the scene. The palace functions as an art center, including a gallery. According to the building administrator, the art objects were not damaged.
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The intervention lasted from 11:59 to 18:51 local time (from 12:59 to 19:51 CEST) and was attended by 125 firefighters with 20 trucks, they stated firefighters on site. The cause of the fire is still unknown, according to Foster, an investigation will begin immediately.
“Crews worked incredibly hard in very hot weather and the heat of the fire to protect Somerset House from further damage,” Ms Foster said. “The fire was located in part of the roof space of the building. Due to the age and construction of the building, the initial intervention was difficult for the crews,” she added, adding that as a result, the firefighters deployed four ladders, including one revolving one, which is 64 meters.
The palace is home to, among other things, an art center where the breakdancing day was supposed to take place today. Shortly after the fire broke out, administrators at sewing X said all employees and the public are safe and the site is closed.
The north wing houses the Courtauld Gallery, which exhibits paintings by old and modern masters, including Peter Paul Rubens, Édouard Manet and Claude Monet. Her collection also includes a self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh with a bandaged ear. The director of the organization that manages the building said BBCthat the fire broke out in the west wing of the palace, where no works of art are located.
Videos on social media showed gray smoke rising from the roof of the building into the air, over the Thames and the nearby Waterloo Bridge. According to the BBC, staff and visitors to the site stood outside and plumes of smoke could be seen from afar.
Somerset House is situated on the banks of the Thames on the south side of the Strand in the borough of Westminster. The main neoclassical part of the building dates from 1776 to 1796 and was designed by architect William Chambers. Victorian wings were added later.
It is also a popular filming location. For example, Budova starred in two Bond films, Zlaté oko from 1995 and Tomorrow Never Dies from 1997.
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