The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened to the public after a fire broke out in the building, causing concern among art lovers and visitors. About 125 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze as smoke billowed across central London on Saturday. Fortunately, the fire was contained to an area of the building that did not house any valuable art, and no injuries were reported.
Visitors queued outside the gallery before it opened at 10:00 BST on Sunday, with one person expressing sadness at the sight of the fire but relief that the artwork was safe. Paul Clark, a tourist from Washington state, shared his experience of witnessing the firefighters battling the blaze while on the London Eye with his family. He expressed his relief that the art was unharmed, particularly mentioning his admiration for Vincent Van Gogh’s work, including the famed Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear housed in the gallery.
The director of Somerset House Trust, Jonathan Reekie, confirmed that there were no valuable artifacts or artworks in the affected part of the building. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and multiple fire engines remained parked outside the venue the day after the incident.
Somerset House, located on the Strand in central London, is a historic arts venue that houses the Courtauld Gallery, featuring masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century by artists such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, and Paul Cezanne. The venue also hosts exhibitions and experiences like ice skating in its famous courtyard, making it a popular destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike.
