Somerset House fire: Relief as art gallery reopens

Recently, a fire broke out at Somerset House, a well-known arts venue in central London, but fortunately, no artwork was harmed. The Courtauld Gallery, which is part of Somerset House, has reopened its doors to the public. However, the rest of the historic building remains closed until further notice. On Saturday, around 125 firefighters were called to the scene to combat the blaze, which sent thick smoke billowing across the city. Many eager visitors lined up outside the gallery before it opened at 10:00 AM on Sunday. One visitor expressed to the BBC that he felt sad about the fire but was relieved to learn that the art was safe. The fire occurred in a section of Somerset House that did not contain any valuable artwork, and thankfully, there were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Among the visitors was the Clark family from the United States, who traveled from Washington state for a holiday. While enjoying a ride on the London Eye, they witnessed the firefighters battling the flames. Mr. Clark shared his feelings with the BBC, stating that it was sad to see the fire, and they were all concerned about the safety of the artwork. However, they felt very relieved to hear that everything was okay. Mr. Clark is particularly fond of Vincent Van Gogh, and the gallery features the artist's famous painting, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. The fire broke out in the west wing of Somerset House, which is primarily used for offices and storage, around midday on Saturday. Jonathan Reekie, the director of Somerset House Trust, confirmed that there were no valuable artifacts or artworks in that part of the building. The day after the fire, multiple fire engines remained parked outside, a reminder of the incident. Somerset House is located on the Strand in central London and serves as a prominent arts venue. The Georgian-era buildings and square were constructed on the site of a palace that dates back to the Tudor period. The venue is home to the Courtauld Gallery, an art museum that houses the collection of the Samuel Courtauld Trust, which includes masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. The gallery also showcases works by renowned impressionist artists such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, and Paul Cezanne. Somerset House frequently hosts exhibitions and events, including ice skating in its famous courtyard, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.