Fire rips through Somerset House in London but public and priceless artworks safe from blaze

Priceless artworks, including a Van Gogh painting, have not been damaged and all public are “safe” after a fire ripped through the roof of historic Somerset House.

London Fire Brigade said 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were helping to tackle the blaze in central London that broke out on Saturday.

In a post on social media, the arts venue said “all staff and public are safe”, and that the building had been closed.

Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, which is mainly comprised of offices and “back-of-house” facilities, and there are “no artworks in that area”.

The Courtauld Gallery, located in the north wing, is home to a collection of famous paintings including Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 self-portrait of himself with a bandaged ear.