Fire breaks out at London's Somerset House, home to priceless works of Van Gogh, Monet: What we know so far

About 125 firefighters are attempting to extinguish the fire at Somerset House, home to priceless works of Vincent Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne, in central London.

Heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from the roof around noon. Troubling visuals of the incident at the art house, which stretches for around 180 metres along the banks of the River Thames, were widely shared on social media. 

According to the London Fire Brigade, 25 engines and around 125 firefighters responded to the fire.

Owing to a fire in one small part of Somerset House, “the site is currently closed,” the official X account of the Renaissance building read. It also added that all staff and the public are safe. 

The complex is home to the Courtauld Gallery, which houses priceless artworks, including Vincent van Gogh's ‘Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.’ It also features works of ‘The Descent From The Cross’ by Peter Paul Rubens

However, Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, said that the fire was spotted in one corner of the west wing, where its mainly offices and back-of-house facilities. “There are no artworks in the area,” he added. 

The neoclassical building was reconstructed nearly 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished after being neglected.

The courtyard of the grand building hosts music events in the summer and a popular ice rink in the winter. The building has appeared in many movies including the 2003 film ‘Love Actually’, two James Bond films, the 2008 movie ‘The Duchess’, and Tim Burton's 1999 horror movie ‘Sleepy Hollow’.