An electrical fire in the basement of Bush Memorial Library at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, caused about $2 million in smoke and water damage to the three-story building. The blaze began about 11:15 p.m. on September 13, half an hour before the library was scheduled to close. About three dozen students and staff were evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to the September 15 St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Investigators think the fire originated in some electronic equipment in a TV control studio in the library’s basement. Water damage was limited to portions of the basement, but smoke damage occurred throughout other sections of the building.
The library remained temporarily closed as of September 15 to accommodate clean-up efforts. However, reference and interlibrary loan services were moved to the law school library until the building could be reopened.
Posted September 18, 2000.