LONDON (AP) — Priceless paintings by Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh and others were unharmed Saturday after firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze that broke out in the roof of Somerset House, a large art venue in central London, authorities said.
Thick smoke and flames, visible from the top of the historic building around noon, were brought under control by firefighters who poured water on it from buckets on ladder trucks.
Firefighters were working to extinguish the last pockets of flames early this evening and were expected to be on the scene until Sunday, London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster said.
“The age and design of the building proved to be a challenge for the teams when they first responded,” Foster said.
The complex and technical intervention required the use of a 63-metre (205-foot) ladder to reach the flames and fire breaks had to be created in the roof to limit the spread of the flames.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Foster said.
Staff and the public were safe and no artwork was in the area of the fire, a Somerset House official said.
“A fire was spotted around midday in a corner of the west wing. The site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade were called, who arrived very quickly,” said Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust. “The west wing is mainly offices and ancillary facilities, there is no artwork in that area.”
The venue next to the Thames was due to host a breakdancing event to celebrate the sport’s debut at the Paris Olympics, which was cancelled.
The fire broke out on the opposite side of the large Courtauld Gallery complex, which houses works including Vincent Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Peter Paul Rubens’ The Descent from the Cross.
The gallery is expected to reopen on Sunday, Reekie said.
The neoclassical building was rebuilt almost 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished and left to fall into neglect.
The original palace was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was later executed in the Tower of London.
Queen Elizabeth I lived in the palace as a princess for five years before ascending the throne.
