Around 125 firefighters are tackling a blaze at Somerset House in central London.
Videos posted on social media show grey smoke billowing into the air from the landmark building, over the River Thames and nearby Waterloo Bridge.
Videos posted on social media show grey smoke billowing into the air from the landmark building, over the River Thames and nearby Waterloo Bridge.
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00:00Around 125 firefighters are tackling a blaze at Somerset House in central London.
00:06Videos posted on social media show grey smoke billowing into the air from the landmark building,
00:12over the River Thames and nearby Waterloo Bridge. The director of Somerset House Trust said the fire
00:18broke out in the west wing of the building and there are no artworks in that area.
00:23There are no reported injuries and the cause of the fire, which was first reported around midday,
00:28is not yet known. London Fire Brigade said the entire site at Somerset House has been
00:34closed to the public whilst the blaze is dealt with. Posting on X, Somerset House wrote,
00:40Owing to a fire in one small part of Somerset House, the site is currently closed.
00:46London battle and other events today will not take place. We apologise for any inconvenience.
00:52Staff and visitors to the gallery are standing outside and clouds of grey smoke can be seen
00:57several streets away. Due to heavy smoke, the London Ambulance Service has asked people to
01:03avoid the area and told local businesses to keep windows and doors shut.