BLAZE BATTLE
150 staff & visitors evacuated as firefighters tackle huge blaze at historic Somerset House in London for SIX hours
Watch footage of the fire crew working to put out the flames
SOMERSET House has been closed "until further notice" after 150 staff and visitors were evacuated as firefighters tackled a huge blaze at the historic building.
Some 125 firefighters rushed to the scene as footage captured thick plumes of smoke billowing from the roof of the iconic building yesterday.
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Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster, who was at the scene, said: "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."
Twenty fire engines scrambled to the Strand to fight the blaze in part of the building's roof which broke out at around midday.
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Two of the London Fire Brigade's 32m ladders were also sent to the scene.
Video showed firefighters blasting water from the top of one of the ladders onto the building's roof.
Crew members remained at the scene around 6pm "working to extinguish the final pockets of fire".
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A spokesperson for the landmark building said an investigation into what caused the fire has been launched.
Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “I am sorry to hear about the fire at Somerset House, this historic building is home to some of London’s great galleries and creative spaces.
“I am very pleased that there are no casualties and hope that Somerset House can reopen to visitors as soon as possible.
“My department is in touch with Somerset House so we can understand the impact and damage caused.”
Somerset House is a vast Georgian building which houses the Courtauld Gallery, one of London's great art collections.
The Courtauld boasts works by major artists including Vincent van Gogh.
Nobody is currently thought to be inside the Somerset House building and there are no reported injuries, Scotland Yard said.
Cops were called at 12.25pm and have joined firefighters at the building near Waterloo Bridge.
The LFB's control room took the first of ten calls reporting the fire just before noon.
Crews have raced to the fire from as far afield as Soho in West End, Islington in north London and Dowgate in the City.
Traffic is building up on the roads around Somerset House, including the Strand.
In a statement, an LFB spokesperson said the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Somerset House said: "Owing to a fire in one small part of Somerset House, the site is currently closed.
"All staff and public are safe and the site is closed. The London Fire Brigade arrived swiftly.
"We’re working very closely with them to control the spread of the fire.
"London Battle and other events today will not take place. We apologise for any inconvenience."
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The Somerset House fountains have been turned off for the past few days to undergo works.
But the works on the fountain pumps are not currently thought to be related to the fire today.
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