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Around 100 firefighters have been sent to tackle a fire at central London’s famous Somerset House, a historic venue for the arts.
The London Fire Brigade said it sent crews after receiving a call just before noon local time, and that 15 fire engines had been deployed at the scene.
It added that the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Videos posted on X showed fire on the roof of the building, with smoke billowing into the air over the River Thames.
Somerset House posted on X that the site was closed due to the site is currently “owing to a fire in one small part of the building.
It added that “all staff and public are safe.”
The LFB said that two 105-feet ladders had been sent to the scene, and that flames were “located in part of the building’s roof.”
The venue was due to host a day of breakdancing on Saturday, but Somerset House said that event and others will no longer take place.
The former stately home was the official residence of the Queen of England for much of the 17th century, but was gradually redeveloped over time as an arts venue and has hosted the Courtauld Institute of Art since 1989
The Courtauld Gallery is home to one of the U.K.’s most celebrated art collections, and includes paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, Edouard Manet and Paul Cezanne.
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