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Somerset House, one of London’s most celebrated landmarks, has hit the headlines today as smoke billowed from the rooftop of the esteemed building.
Around 125 firefighters have descended upon the scene at The Strand to combat the flames engulfing the well-trodden house, which is a popular destination for tourists. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported thus far.
The alarm was raised just shy of midday today, with fire response units rushing from Islington, Soho, and Dowgate to tackle the urgent situation.
As of yet, the origin of the fire remains unknown; meanwhile, pedestrians have been advised to steer clear of the vicinity owing to “the high volume of smoke”.
Boasting a storied past as the residence of English royalty and the abode of Roman Catholic consorts from 1603 to 1692, the legendary establishment dates back to its origins in 1547, reports the Mirror.
Following the incident, there’s been a stroke of relief as the Somerset House Trust director assures all artworks inside are secure, attributing the fire to an outbreak in the west wing of the structure.
Film buffs and television aficionados might also be intrigued to learn that Somerset House, famed for its grand interiors and picturesque cobbled courtyard, regularly serves as a backdrop for filming.
Countless iconic movies and TV series have utilized the premises of the beloved venue for their shoots. As we await further updates about the current blaze, The Express delves into its intriguing cinematic history.
Which TV shows and movies have filmed scenes at Somerset House?
Somerset House, renowned for its neoclassical architecture, has been a popular choice for numerous major film and TV shoots. The 19th-century landmark has consistently attracted location scouts with its inspiring architecture.
As per the official website, the London-based building boasts an array of hidden filming spots, from grand staircases and lengthy corridors to rooftop views of the London skyline, not forgetting the Victorian alleyways of the Lightwells and the dungeon-esque Deadhouse.
Over recent decades, Somerset House has morphed into various settings including Buckingham Palace, a stately home, an asylum, and even a 1799 New York street scene for Tim Burton’s 1999 film Sleepy Hollow.
Its imposing facades and elegant rooms have graced some of Britain’s top period dramas, such as Sherlock Holmes, Dancing on the Edge, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, and even ITV’s Downton Abbey.
The iconic cobbled courtyard and dancing fountain of Somerset House have also made appearances in films like Last Chance Harvey, Bride and Prejudice, and the action-packed thriller London Has Fallen. The popular superhero film X-Men: First Class even transformed it into a Swiss Bank for one scene.
Pierce Brosnan was spotted filming scenes for the 1995 James Bond film, GoldenEye, within the building. Other films that have utilised this location include Love Actually, Mary Poppins Returns, Suffragette, and The Duchess.