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About 125 firefighters are battling a blaze at the Somerset House arts centre in London, UK, on Saturday. BBC reportsThe cause of the fire is currently unknown, and according to the latest reports, the fire has already been brought under control.
Photos and videos posted on social media show grey smoke billowing from the historic building, above the River Thames and Waterloo Bridge. Jonathan Rickie, director of the Somerset House Trust, said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, “which is mainly offices and support facilities, with no artwork in this area”.
There were no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire, which started in the afternoon, is unknown. The grounds of Somerset House have been completely closed to the public, roads are closed and no one is inside the building, the BBC reported, citing London police.
Due to the heavy smoke, the London Ambulance Service has asked people to avoid the area and businesses to keep windows and doors closed.
Built in the 18th century on the north bank of the River Thames by architect William Chambres, Somerset House was once a royal palace and is now a centre for arts and culture, housing two important art collections, the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Gilbert Collection of Decorative Arts. It is also home to the Royal Society of British Literature.
The affected building, designed in the neoclassical style, is classified as Grade I for its historic and national value. Buckingham Palace, Parliament and the Tower of London are other buildings and monuments with the same classification.
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