More than 125 firefighters worked to douse a fire Saturday at Somerset House, a large central London arts venue that contains priceless works by Monet, Cezanne and Van Gogh.

Heavy smoke and flames that could be seen coming from the roof around noon had died down a few hours later as firefighters poured water on it from the buckets on ladder trucks. It appeared from video footage that flames had burned a hole in the roof of the building located next to the River Thames.

The cause of the fire was not yet known, the London Fire Brigade said.

Somerset House said staff and the public were safe and artworks were not in the area of the fire. The venue had been scheduled to host a breakdancing event.

B次元官网网址淎 fire was spotted at about midday in one corner of the west wing, the site was immediately evacuated and the London Fire Brigade called, who arrived very quickly,B次元官网网址� Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, said. B次元官网网址淭he west wing is mainly offices and back-of-house facilities, there are no artworks in that area.B次元官网网址�

The fire was on the opposite side of the large complex from The Courtauld Gallery that features works such as Vincent Van GoghB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淪elf-Portrait with Bandaged EarB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淭he Descent From The CrossB次元官网网址� by Peter Paul Rubens.

The neoclassical building was reconstructed nearly 250 years ago after the original Somerset House was demolished after being neglected.

The original palace was built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was later executed at the Tower of London.

Queen Elizabeth I lived in the palace as a princess for five years before ascending to the throne.

The Associated Press