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APSmoke escapes the historic library in Los Angeles.Fire destroys rare books in libraryLOS ANGELES AP) — Fire erupted in the stacks of the landmark. 60-year-old downtown library Tuesday, destroying rare books, forcing evacuation of hundreds of patrons and employees and injuring at least 14 firefighters More than 160 firefighters were called to the three-story building, which contains more than 2 million books, periodicals and photographs They broke through skylights to get at the flames in the neo-classical building, which is listed on National Register of Historical Places.Flames started in the sixth tier of the building's eight-tier central book stacks, long a concern of fire prevention officers, and pushed their way into the attic Tier six corresponds with the second floor The fire began before 11 a m and part of the third floor collapsed about two hours later Firefighters broke windows with sledgehammers to release intense heat as the blaze continued to burn out of control Tuesday afternoon.The fire moved east to west, destroying parts of two floors of books, said Fire Capt. Tony DiDomenico.The cause of the fire was not immediately known, city fire Inspector Ed Reed said There were no reported injuries to the public or employees.The library, dedicated in 1926, houses periodicals, photographs, maps, patents, manuscripts and exhibits In recent years, it has been the focus of controversy over its continued existence on expensive downtown land■•'he nonprofit ».n« \ny*uMv «'»ns«*rvan«'y *t*iin»aU» 225. a**; yltutosanu negatives uaung iuik io ilt;k»oart: aiuicu Lucre. u;the largest collections ot patents in me nation Eight firefighters were taken to hospitals with first- and second-degree burns Six others were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion.The library, designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and dedicated July 15, 1926, was declared a historic cultural monu ment by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Board in 1967 A few years ago. the library administration proposed razing the building, with the property to be sold to developers and the proceeds being used for a new library elsewhere. But the city decided to renovate it with money from selling airspace rights to neighboring developers.
Newspaper Details
Panama City News Herald
Panama City, Florida, US
Wed, Apr 30, 1986
Page 162
Full Page
Clipped by
Julieta C.
NA, 01 Sep 2021
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