Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, expressed gratitude for the quick response of emergency services, stating, "if that fire hadn't been spotted and tackled as quickly as it was by the extraordinary emergency services, this could have been a complete disaster." He compared the incident to major fires like Notre Dame, stating, "very luckily, it didn't become a kind of Notre Dame or Glasgow School of Art."
Reekie highlighted the effectiveness of the staff and emergency services, saying, "thanks to really quick-thinking staff and the amazing response of London Fire Brigade, the fire was quickly put out." He noted that damage was limited, allowing for a phased reopening of the venue just days after the incident.
While celebrating the fact that no one was injured, Reekie remarked that reconstruction work could take years. He mentioned, "most of the venue's facilities and events would resume as normal within a few more days, but reconstruction would take much longer."
Regarding cultural heritage, it was noted that priceless artwork in the Courtauld Gallery was unharmed. Reekie confirmed, "the priceless artwork held in the site's Courtauld Gallery, including works by Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne, was unaffected by the blaze and it is due to reopen to the public on Sunday."
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