Fire at the Palais Fanto prompted an urgent evacuation of the Arnold Schoenberg museum last night. At least 20 people worked through the night to extract the composer’s manuscripts and artefacts.

The Schoenberg family reports: ‘Most vulnerable items have been relocated to a secure safe place. Water has been coming into the library.’

The cause of the fire is unknown. The centre will be closed for months of restoration.

ABD0145_20150812 - WIEN - …STERREICH: Die Berufsfeuerwehr Wien hat am Mittwoch, 12. August 2015, einen Brand im Palais Fanto beim Schwarzenbergplatz bekŠmpft. - FOTO: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

The Schoenberg Museum was transferred from California to Vienna in 1998.