London gallery featuring Van Gogh and Monet to remain closed after huge blaze
dailyrecord.co.ukLondon's historic Somerset House will remain closed “until further notice” as an investigation into the fire that damaged the roof is conducted, a spokesperson has said.The Courtauld Gallery, home to priceless artwork, including Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 self-portrait showing him with a bandaged ear and and paintings by Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne, was “unaffected” by the blaze and will reopen to the public on Sunday.London Fire Brigade said 125 firefighters and 20 engines helped to tackle the blaze in central London and at 6pm crews were still “working to extinguish the final pockets of fire” at the historic venue.There were no reported injuries, LFB added.
Somerset House Trust director Jonathan Reekie said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, which is mainly comprised of offices and “back-of-house” facilities, and there were “no artworks in that area”.He added: “As the London Fire Brigade continue their investigations and operations, Somerset House will remain closed to the public until further notice, but I am happy to say that the Courtauld art gallery and institute will remain open from tomorrow.”Speaking to reporters outside the building, he said it was “too early to comment on the building’s condition” and thanked emergency services for their work tackling the flames.Professor Mark Hallett, Marit Rausing director of The Courtauld, said: “The Courtauld, including our galleries and collection of artworks, is unaffected by the fire.”London Ambulance Service urged people to avoid the area and told local businesses to keep their windows and doors closed on Saturday afternoon.Michelle Birkby, 50, a writer from London, said: “I was walking along the South Bank and could smell smoke, looked up and saw
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