[MSN] Catherdal City, Ca. Library Fire. Fire Does $2 M Damage on Cathedral City Library

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Fire Does $2 M Damage on Cathedral City Library

Posted: Feb 2, 2008 11:19 PM

KESQ.com news services

Investigators are probing the cause of a blaze that resulted in more than $2
million estimated damage to the Cathedral City Library, authorities said.

"We had major roof damage on the south side of the structure, and extensive
water damage,'' said Cathedral City fire Capt. Eric Hauser. "In the center
of the building we had total burn-through to the roof.''

Firefighters from Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Palm Springs responded to
the fire, which was first reported at 11:09 p.m. last night, Hauser said.

Firefighters gained control of the blaze by midnight. But many remained
on-scene until Saturday morning, including investigators, said Hauser, who
helped lead crews that responded to the fire.

"Investigators are still there,'' Hauser said. "It's been a long night. . .
. That is the city's only public library, as far as I know.''

The Cathedral City Library, at 33520 Date Palm Drive, is part of the
Riverside County Library system. The library building is about seven years
old, Hauser estimated.

There was no suspicion of foul play in the fire, Hauser said. Plumbers were
installing pipes in part of the library Saturday, but investigators weren't
sure if the work involved any welding, Hauser said.