On Saturday, August 17, a fire broke out at Somerset House, one of London’s most iconic buildings.
Houses van Gogh Self Portrait
According to Ziare the cause of the blaze is currently unknown, but emergency services responded swiftly, deploying 20 fire engines and over 125 firefighters to the scene.
Somerset House, originally constructed in 1547, has a storied history. Once a royal palace, it now serves as a prominent cultural center.
The building houses the Courtauld Gallery, which boasts a remarkable collection of art ranging from Renaissance masterpieces to works by Édouard Manet and Vincent van Gogh’s famous self-portrait with a bandaged ear.
Cinematic Fame
The fire erupted in the west wing of Somerset House, leading to a complete suspension of activities within the building.
Firefighters are battling the blaze both inside and on the roof of the historic structure, as reported by The Guardian.
Located on the banks of the River Thames, Somerset House has gained cinematic fame in recent decades. It has appeared in several films, including “Love Actually” (2003) and two James Bond films featuring Pierce Brosnan: “GoldenEye” (1995) and “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997).
