The Courtauld Gallery houses works of art such as Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear’ and Peter Paul Rubens’ ‘Descent from the Cross’, but the fire broke out on the opposite side of the Georgian-era complex.
The fire at Somerset House has been controlled after some 125 firefighters had to intervene in the London arts center. The building houses works of art such as ‘Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear’, by Vincent Van Gogh, and ‘The Descent from the Cross’, by Peter Paul Rubens.
But a spokesman for Somerset House in London He said the fire had broken out in the west wing, on the opposite side of the complex from the Courtauld Gallery.
“It is too early to comment on the condition of the buildingbut I think thanks to the efforts of the emergency services, I am sure that the damage is to a small part of the building,” said Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie.
“As the London Fire Brigade continues its research and operationsSomerset House will remain closed to the public until further notice.”
The fire broke out for the first time shortly before Saturday noon and caused a complex and technical response from fire crews, who had to use a 63 meter ladder to reach the flames and create roof firewall to limit the spread of flames.
Keeley Foster, assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, told reporters that firefighters will remain at the scene until Sunday. No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The venue, located next to the River Thames, was going to host a breakdancing show to celebrate the debut of this sport at the Paris Olympic Games. “It was scary, but they handled it very, very well,” said Abisola Alli, who was scheduled to attend the canceled event.
