Firefighters putting out 'final pockets' of blaze at historic London art centre / Photo: James RYBACKI - AFP
-
Injury may delay outdoor season start for Norway's Ingebrigtsen
-
Tour de France to go through Paris' historic Montmartre district
-
'We can't go back': India's border residents fear returning home
-
Finland returns sacred stool looted by France to Benin
-
Israel PM says army entering Gaza 'with full force' in coming days
-
Sean Combs's ex Cassie says he 'controlled' her life
-
Carney forms new Canada govt to reshape US ties
-
Everton to preserve Goodison Park for women's team
-
Stocks mixed after cool US inflation and as rally tapers
-
Thomas confident at PGA having won a major at Quail Hollow
-
Trump slashed US cancer research by 31 percent: Senate report
-
US inflation cooled in April as Trump rolled out tariffs
-
Dutch climate group launches new case against Shell
-
Dutch rider van Uden springs surprise to win Giro sprint
-
Tour de France to pass through historic Montmartre
-
'Apprentice' star Jeremy Strong says 'truth under assault'
-
India kills 3 suspected militants in Kashmir as Pakistan ceasefire holds
-
Cannes Festival opens under pressure to take stance on Gaza war
-
Rahm says no need to play perfect to win majors, just have faith
-
US consumer inflation cooled in April as Trump rolled out tariffs
-
Kurds see ball in Ankara's court after PKK says disbanding
-
Zelensky urges Trump to make Putin meeting happen
-
UN agency finds Russia responsible for 2014 downing of airliner over Ukraine
-
Halle Berry trips up on Cannes festival's new dress code
-
NFL sets first regular-season games in Dublin, Berlin, Madrid
-
Stocks mostly higher on cool US inflation
-
Former England scrum-half Care to retire
-
Spieth's career Slam hopes at PGA boosted by McIlroy Masters win
-
Test final must trump IPL, says South Africa coach
-
'I thought I was going to die,' Kardashian tells Paris robbery trial
-
S.Africa's vast radio telescope draws new generation to the cosmos
-
US consumer inflation cooled in April to lowest level since 2021
-
Europe's biggest 'green' methanol plant opens in Denmark
-
Depardieu convicted of sexually assaulting two women
-
Trump boasts Saudi business deals as he basks in royal welcome
-
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ex Cassie expected to testify
-
Buttler one of five IPL players in England squad despite fixture clash
-
'I thought I was going to die,' Kardashian tells in Paris robbery trial
-
Cycling great Wiggins admits cocaine addiction after retiring
-
Princess Catherine says nature her 'sanctuary' amid cancer recovery
-
Rabada leads South African pace attack for World Test final
-
Alcaraz battles into Italian Open quarter-finals
-
Departing Ancelotti has 'no problem' with Real Madrid
-
Murray and Djokovic end coaching partnership after six months
-
Stand-off leaves Kosovo unable again to elect speaker
-
Forest striker Awoniyi has surgery after post collision
-
Rights groups take UK govt to court over Israel arms sales
-
Cannes Festival under pressure to take stance on Gaza war
-
European stocks, dollar steady after China-US truce rally
-
Putin skipping talks would signal Moscow not seeking peace: Kyiv
NYSE - LSE
| SCS | -1.03% | 10.71 | $ | |
| BCE | -2.59% | 21.99 | $ | |
| JRI | -1.32% | 12.84 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.09% | 22.06 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 1.27% | 63.81 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.46% | 67.22 | $ | |
| BCC | 1.12% | 94.155 | $ | |
| GSK | -2.91% | 36.315 | $ | |
| RIO | 1.63% | 62.43 | $ | |
| RYCEF | 2.08% | 10.6 | $ | |
| RELX | 1.05% | 52.38 | $ | |
| VOD | -0.06% | 9.065 | $ | |
| BP | 1.58% | 30.675 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.09% | 22.28 | $ | |
| AZN | -2.21% | 67.46 | $ | |
| BTI | -1.12% | 40.525 | $ |
Firefighters putting out 'final pockets' of blaze at historic London art centre
Firefighters were "working to extinguish the final pockets of fire" on Saturday after a large blaze broke out at London's historic Somerset House cultural centre, with flames leaping out from underneath its roof.
Some 25 engines and around 125 firefighters were called upon to tackle the blaze, the London Fire Brigade posted on X, formerly Twitter.
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." The fire broke out in the building's roof.
It added that "all staff and public are safe."
The complex is home to the Courtauld Gallery, which houses priceless paintings, including Vincent van Gogh's "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear."
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.
The courtyard of the grand building hosts music gigs in the summer and a popular ice rink in the winter, appearing in the 2003 film "Love Actually".
It has also appeared in the 2008 movie "The Duchess", starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, as well as Tim Burton's 1999 horror movie "Sleepy Hollow" and two James Bond films.
Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster said that the age and design of the building "proved a challenge for crews as they initially responded".
"As a result, four of the Brigade's aerial ladders, including a 64 metre turntable ladder, were deployed to support firefighters as they carried out a complex and technical response.
"This included creating fire breaks in the roof, which has now limited the spread of flames. Crews are now working to extinguish the final pockets of fire," she added.
O.Karlsson--AMWN