Unilever art safe after fire

Damage from last week's fire at Unilever House has been described as "minor" by a spokeswoman from Crawford & Co, which is handling the loss.

The fire, at the company's famous art deco headquarters at Blackfriars on the Thames Embankment, began shortly before 6pm last Tuesday. It started on the roof of the building, which houses a terrace where Unilever chairman Niall FitzGerald is believed to hold barbecues and other events.

The spokeswoman said the fire was contained to the roof terrace, and some water damage to carpet and tiles was the only internal damage. She said that Unilever's extensive collection of

20th century art escaped unscathed.

Crawfords declined to quantify the damage cost to Unilever, which self-insures through a captive.