Investigation continues into what started devastating Somerset House fire as crews remain on site today

The investigation into what started the devastating blaze at the capital’s iconic Somerset House continues today as fire crews remain on site.

Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters were deployed to the 250-year-old complex at 12pm yesterday.

Smoke was seen pouring from the building as firefighters took to the roofs and raised themselves up to 32 metres in the air on cherry pickers and deployed drones to survey and tackle the flames.

Today, the London Fire Bridge confirmed part of the third floor and the roof of the west wing of the building were damaged by fire.

It took place in the west wing of the building – adjacent to the north wing, which is home to famous paintings including a Van Gogh self-portrait as well as works by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne.

As the investigation continues today, Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster, who was at the scene, said: ‘The fire was located in part of the building’s roof space. 

‘The age and design of the building proved a challenge for crews as they initially responded. 

‘As a result, four of the Brigade’s aerial ladders, including a 64 metre turntable ladder, were deployed to support firefighters as they carried out a complex and technical response. This included creating fire breaks in the roof, which has now limited the spread of flames.

‘Around 150 staff and visitors left Somerset House before the Brigade arrived and there are no reports of any injuries.

‘Crews have been working incredibly hard through the very hot weather and heat of the fire to protect Somerset House from further damage.

‘I’d like to thank all our firefighters for their work so far. Crews will continue to remain on scene today carrying out further operations.

‘Throughout the incident we’ve worked closely with the staff at Somerset House in order to coordinate our response.

‘I’d also like to thank the Metropolitan Police Service and London Ambulance Service for their support through the afternoon.’

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took more than 30 calls reporting the fire.

The director of Somerset House Trust said there are ‘no artworks’ in the area where the fire broke out – as security staff suggested the fire was finally being contained three hours after it was called in.

The London Ambulance Service urged people to avoid the area and told local businesses to keep their windows and doors closed.

Early pictures of the area damaged by fire suggest a small area of the roof has collapsed. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

A MailOnline reporter said hoses were still being used to dampen down the roof shortly after 3pm.

Firefighters could be seen with axes and crowbars as they worked on the fire from the top of the building.

A team of four tackled the blaze as smoke continued to pour from the historic building.

As they gained access, they used hoses to blast the blaze, working in the fire as they continued to use tools to allow them to access the space.

One witness who works for the Courtauld Gallery said yesterday: ‘It’s in the west wing, but we don’t know any more than that. We just saw smoke and had to leave. The whole courtyard was filled with smoke. You couldn’t see.

‘They’re still dealing with it on the top. There is no more fire inside.’

The venue had been due to hold London Battle, a breakdancing competition hosted by dancer Jade Hackett, before the fire broke out.

One participant told MailOnline: ‘We’re gutted – it’s been such a dramatic day.’

Dance Umbrella, which organised London Battle, said in a social media statement yesterday: ‘We’re absolutely devastated to announce that owing to a fire in one part of Somerset House, the site is currently closed and London Battle and other events today will not take place.’

Word quickly spread of the fire as images and videos were shared at pace on social media while visitors were urged to evacuate.

Abisola Alli, 29, from West London was set to take part in the London Battle event at with her group Afro Queens.

But her excitement was dashed when the flames broke out, and they were rushed out of the changing rooms.

‘It was a very exciting event – Jade poured a lot of effort into this,’ she told MailOnline.

‘I came to it last year just to attend and it was so good, I had such a great time that, so it was really exciting to have my group perform and just to battle as well.

‘It’s such a lovely day today as well – you know it’s going to be a good day when the weathers so nice and hot.’

She added: ‘We were in our changing room doing positions for the routine and then the lady said ‘You need to evacuate.

‘We didn’t think anything of it – we just thought it was a fire drill. We went out into the courtyard and started doing our positions again.’

However the woman quickly urged them to leave the premises entirely.

‘That’s when we realised it got quite serious and all the fire engines started pulling up.’

She continued: ‘It’s anticlimactic – everyone’s so excited for all of the events happening today. But I know Jade’s going to pull it out of the bag.

‘Whether it’s this year, next year – it’ll be amazing regardless. We came with our stuff, our material to show people what we have. But unfortunately we didn’t get to show it.’

Art historian David Wooton, 61, was in Somerset House when smoke filled the courtyard and he was forced to leave.

The independent art historian said: ‘I came out to have lunch and was going to go back in again after.

‘On the other side of the courtyard, high up, almost right on the corner of the building, there’s huge amounts of smoke.

‘I didn’t actually see any flames but increasingly the whole courtyard was getting filled with smoke.

‘At that time the whole building was evacuated and we weren’t allowed to go back in.

‘I don’t know how much damage has been done. I think it might have been an electric fault or something because I’ve seen men in high visibility jackets with electric written on their backs.

‘I love the building – it’s a masterpiece of neoclassicism – so I hope nothing serious has been ruined.’

A large poster of Vincent Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear was displayed on the railings, which is listed as a part of the Courtauld collection on the gallery’s website.

Fire officers could be seen on the roof of the former stately home, which looks onto the Strand, while others used height appliances to survey and extinguish the flames from on high.

Somerset House initially said the fire was ‘small’ and contained within part of the building – but nevertheless opted to close. It had been due to hold London Battle, a breakdancing event, yesterday.

In a statement to MailOnline, a spokesperson said: ‘Following Saturday’s fire in one part of Somerset House, our focus is on allowing London Fire Brigade the space to do their work.

‘It is too early to comment any further on the building’s condition.

‘The Daytimers x RepresentAsian event will not be taking place tomorrow and Somerset House will remain closed until further notice.

‘The Courtauld Gallery has not been directly impacted by the fire and it will remain open.

‘The safety and well-being of artists, visitors and staff is paramount to Somerset House.

‘We apologise for any inconvenience this change of circumstances may cause. Once again, we would like to give our sincerest thanks to the emergency services, our staff and our visitors, who all acted so swiftly and diligently to ensure everyone was safe.

‘We are also very grateful for the many messages of support we have received during this time.’

It also said on X, formerly Twitter: ‘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.’

It said earlier that the London Battle breakdancing event would not take place but has since retracted that element of its statement.

The earlier statement read: ‘Owing to a fire in one small part of Somerset House, the site is currently closed. London Battle and other events today will not take place. We apologise for any inconvenience.’

Somerset House was originally built as a Tudor palace for the Duke of Somerset in 1547 but is now an arts centre describing itself as ‘a home of cultural innovation and connects artists and designers with wider society’.

The current building was designed by Sir William Chambers in 1776 with further extensions added on in the Victorian era – and now hosts a combination of free and ticketed exhibitions.