Social Sciences Department damaged

 Estados Unidos > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles

---

Interior view of the Social Sciences Department at Central Library. Walls and ceiling were damaged by smoke, and by the water used in putting out the fire that was ravaging the upper levels of Central Library, April 29, 1986.Los Angeles Public Library, located at 630 W. 5th Street suffered a devastating arson fire on April 29, 1986 which started at approximately 10:52 am. Within 5 minutes of the first alarm, fire trucks arrived on the scene but only saw light smoke emiting from the east side of the roof. But mere moments later, firefighters discovered fire in the walls - the concrete and dense design of the building allowed heat to build up rapidly inside. By 1:00 pm, the fire had extended almost 300 feet on the second floor through the building, and was visible in the west windows of the "Patent Room", which was located on the west end of the building on the mezzanine level.