Parts of the Somerset House complex in central London remain open to the public despite 125 firefighters being required to tackle a blaze at the venue on Saturday.
While the main venue is closed until further notice, the Courtauld Gallery – home to works including Vincent van Gogh’s 1889 self-portrait showing him with a bandaged ear – reopened on Sunday.
A statement from Somerset House said the gallery was “not directly impacted” by the fire, the cause of which is under investigation by the London fire brigade (LFB).
An event entitled Daytimers x RepresentAsian, described as “a day dedicated to South Asian creativity”, has been cancelled on Sunday. London Battle, a celebration of breakdancing, was called off on Saturday.
The Somerset House Trust director, Jonathan Reekie, said the fire broke out in the west wing of the building, which mainly contains offices and “back-of-house” facilities.
There were no artworks in that area and no reported injuries. About 150 staff and visitors had left Somerset House before the LFB arrived just after midday on Saturday.
Part of the third floor and the roof of the west wing of the building were damaged.
The LFB assistant commissioner Keeley Foster said the “age and design of the building proved a challenge for crews”, whom she praised for working to contain the blaze in very hot weather.
The location was once home to Queen Elizabeth I. According to the Somerset House website, she resided there until she became queen in 1558.
After decades of neglect, the original Somerset House was demolished in 1775 and a replacement was not completed until 1801.
Since the turn of the millennium it has been used for a temporary ice rink, for music gigs and for London fashion week.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, thanked the emergency services for working in “extremely challenging circumstances” to prevent further damage to the Grade I-listed building.
The arts minister Chris Bryant said the government was liaising with the venue to “understand the impact and damage” caused.
He added: “I am sorry to hear about the fire at Somerset House. This historic building is home to some of London’s great galleries and creative spaces.
“I am very pleased that there are no casualties and hope that Somerset House can reopen to visitors as soon as possible.”
Crews remain on the scene to carry out further operations.
