About 100 firefighters tackle blaze at London's famous Somerset House

Around 125 firefighters have been tackling a blaze at London’s famous Somerset House.

Sitting on the bank of the River Thames, the historic arts centre is usually busy with tourists at the weekend, housing artwork by the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Manet and Cezanne.

Emergency services were working to stop the spread of a fire, said to be in a “small part of the building”.

Video and images on social media showed an area of roof on fire and smoke billowing out over the Thames.

London Fire Brigade said 20 fire engines were at the scene as they tried to bring the blaze in the building’s roof under control.

The age and design of the building proved a challenge for firefighters as they battled to contain the blaze.

The fire broke out in a roof space of the west wing, but as of 6pm on Saturday, only the “final pockets of fire” remained.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and director of Somerset House Trust Jonathan Reekie, 59, said that while it was “too early” to comment on the building’s condition, he was “confident” the damage was limited to one small area.

Somerset House was due to host a day of breakdancing on Saturday but closed during the emergency response, and all staff and members of the public are said to be safe – with no reports of injury.

In a statement, it said: “Somerset House is currently closed due to a fire which has broken out in one small part of the building.

“All staff and public are safe and the site is closed.

“The London Fire Brigade arrived swiftly and we’re working very closely with them to control the spread of the fire.”

Somerset House was once a royal palace and is now an arts, culture and entertainment centre.

The Courtauld Gallery, home to one of the world’s great art collections, is located in the building’s north wing and contains works by the likes of van Gogh.

Alan Robinson, 71, a Catholic priest who works nearby and lives in Covent Garden, said he was worried about the “irreplaceable” art collection in the Courtauld Gallery.

The Somerset House site dates back to 1547.

Mr Reekie said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building where there are “no artworks in that area”.

He added the fire was spotted around midday and the site was immediately evacuated, but the famed Courtauld Gallery was untouched and will reopen tomorrow.

The fire was concentrated in an area that is “mainly offices and back-of-house facilities,” he added.

Michelle Birkby, 50, who lives in London, said: “I was walking along the South Bank, and could smell smoke, looked up and saw smoke coming out of the top of Somerset House.

“At first I assumed it was a barbecue in the courtyard, or some sort of event, but then I heard the fire engines, realised the smoke was billowing out of control and that Somerset House was on fire.”