The Old Brick Workshop Gallery in Wellington was set to open and exhibit the work of 12 artists when Somerset Open Studios began on Saturday – despite a huge fire in adjoining premises just over a week ago.

Gallery owner Alison Cosserat was on site desperately working to save her building and the paintings even as firefighters and fire engines from across the county fought the blaze.

“The fire was just outside the window with gallons of water pouring onto it from a crane above and more hoses from the ground as I was removing art work from the upstairs studio closest to the blaze,” said Alison.

“It’s now a race against time to get the gallery ready for tomorrow. Windows have already been boarded up and the drainage pipes have been replaced. Water damage, from the hoses that flooded the gallery, is the main thing to sort out before the exhibition.

“With two large dehumidifiers going full time and a lot of floor scrubbing to remove the soot I should be in a position to hang the work safely. Once the exhibition is over the whole gallery will have to be re-decorated but for now a few tide lines will have to stay.”

“Although most of this year’s festival is online I just feel that lots of people are so keen to get out and see some real art in a real gallery that it is important we do our best to get this exhibition open.”

The exhibition will include work by Diana Pilcher, James Marsden, Andy Baker, Genevieve Murray, Alison Cosserat, Anna Newland Hooper, Annie Musgrove, Claire Western, Tina Hill, Judy Crosher, Sophie Jennings and Bernadette Jones. It runs until Sunday, October 4, and is open daily 10am-5pm.