The cause of the fire remains unknown, according to authorities. The entire site has been closed to the public and traffic in the surrounding area is expected to be affected. The works housed in the art center are not believed to have been damaged.
More than 100 firefighters were called to tackle a blaze that broke out at Somerset House, north of Waterloo Bridge on the left bank of the River Thames in central London on Saturday.
A column of smoke could be seen billowing from the grand neoclassical building, a major arts centre in the British capital, while flames shot from the roof.
15 fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze, according to the London Fire Brigade.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the fire brigade reportedly received the first call about the fire at 11:59 a.m. local time on Saturday.
The works housed in this art center would not be damaged.
A spokesperson said: “Crews are tackling the flames on part of the roof of the building. Two 32-metre ladders from the brigade have been sent to the scene to support firefighting operations.”
The entire Somerset House site has been closed to the public, the spokesman said, and traffic in the surrounding area is also expected to be affected.
Somerset House was due to host a breakdancing day on Saturday but was closed due to the fire.
“All staff and members of the public are safe and the site is closed,” the historic arts centre said in a statement. “The London Fire Brigade arrived promptly and we are working closely with them to control the spread of the fire.”
Videos posted on social media show smoke rising into the air and above the English capital.