A devastating fire that broke out at Somerset House in central London on August 17 could have had catastrophic consequences if it hadn’t been swiftly discovered and extinguished by 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines. The blaze damaged the roof and part of the complex’s west wing, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The director of Somerset House Trust, Jonathan Reekie, praised the quick-thinking staff and the London Fire Brigade’s response, stating that if the fire hadn’t been tackled so quickly, it could have resulted in a disaster on the scale of the Notre Dame blaze or the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building.
The fire could have spread rapidly due to the building’s layout and the strong winds that day, Reekie explained. He expressed gratitude that the fire was contained and praised the emergency services, saying, “If that fire hadn’t been spotted and tackled as quickly as it was by the extraordinary emergency services, this could have been a complete disaster.” The fire investigation is ongoing, but so far, it appears that the cause is unknown.
Somerset House is a historic arts venue and event space that has been home to the Courtauld Gallery, which features priceless artwork by master artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne. Although the fire damaged some areas of the building, the gallery reopened to the public on Sunday, and most of the venue’s facilities and events will resume as normal within a few days. However, the reconstruction process is expected to take months, if not years.
Fierce Blaze Threatens to Destroy Somerset House (Image via Getty)
The fire has had a significant impact on the venue’s community, which includes artists, makers, and creative businesses that use the complex’s workspaces and studios. The director emphasized that Somerset House is about community and fostering creative expression, stating, “When you think of Somerset House, of course, you immediately think of this beautiful historic building – a really important part of this country’s national heritage. But we also have a huge amount of creative workspace as well.” He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from around the world, saying, “It’s really made us able to focus and think hard about how we can bring this beautiful building back to life as quickly as possible.”
Somerset House has a rich history, having been home to Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. The venue has undergone many transformations over the years, including being used as a royal residence, a government office, and a university. The fire is a sobering reminder of the importance of preserving historic sites and the vital role they play in our cultural heritage. As Reekie stated, Somerset House is not just a beautiful historic building, but also a thriving community of artists and creatives, and efforts are being made to restore it to its former glory as soon as possible.
