A fire broke out for an unknown reason at Somerset House. The fire was brought under control on Saturday evening.
Jussi Nurminen,
Ella Haura
17.8. 15:59•Updated 17.8. 21:47
A large fire broke out in central London on Saturday at Somerset House, which houses an arts centre.
People were advised to avoid moving in the area due to smoke rising from the roof of the building.
The London Fire Brigade has informed about the fire in X.
No one was injured in the fire, which was brought under control by the fire brigade during the evening. So far, there is no information on the cause of the fire, he reports British broadcasting company BBC.
According to the London Fire Department, around 125 rescuers participated in extinguishing the fire.
of The Daily Telegraph there was supposed to be a breakdance event in the building today.
The building has a valuable art collection, which includes, among other things Vincent van Gogh and Rubens paintings. However, the paintings are not in the part of the building where the fire broke out.
Director of the British Institute of Finland: “The view was dramatic”
The British and Irish Institute of Finland is also located in Somerset House. The institute’s premises are located in the new wing of the building, while according to media reports, the fire started in the west wing.
When the fire started on Saturday morning, there were no employees of the institute in the building, the director of the institute said Jaakko Nousiainen tells .
– I had to immediately go to the place to see. It was not yet known how far the fire had spread and whether our office was in danger.
Nousiainen went to the fire scene a little before two local time. He says that the situation was watched by many passers-by on a beautiful day.
According to Nousiainen, a statue of smoke rose from the roof of Somerset House. According to what he heard, the smell caused by the smoke has spread to different parts of London.
– The sight was dramatic.
According to Nousiainen, at the moment it seems that the fire did not hit the institute’s premises.
– There were many happy strains on the way here. A street dance event was supposed to start at Somerset House at two, which was attended by thousands of people.
Nousiainen does not yet know if the institute’s employees will be able to continue working in their office on Monday.
Reuters, AFP, AP
Updated on 17.8. at 18:23: Added information that the British and Irish Institute of Finland is also located in Somerset House.
Updated on 17.8. 7:35 p.m.: Added an interview with Jaakko Nousiainen, director of the British and Irish Institute of Finland.
Updated on 17.8. 21:45: Added information that the fire has been brought under control.