LONDON

By AFP
August 18, 2024
Smoke rises as firefighters work at the scene of a fire at Somerset House in London, Britain August 17, 2024. — Reuters
Smoke rises as firefighters work at the scene of a fire at Somerset House in London, Britain August 17, 2024. — Reuters

LONDON: Around 100 firefighters tackled a large blaze at London’s historic Somerset House cultural centre on Saturday, with flames leaping out from underneath its roof.

The official X account of the Renaissance building, which opened in 1796, said that “owing to a fire in one small part of Somerset House, the site is currently closed.” It added that “all staff and public are safe.”

Other footage taken from central London showed thick plumes of smoke rising above the building, which stretches for around 180 metres along the banks of the River Thames.