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Fire at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth Fire at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
(35 minutes later)
A section of roof at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth has been destroyed by fire.A section of roof at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth has been destroyed by fire.
Flames and smoke were seen coming from the roof at the building's rear and up to 300 staff and 100 visitors were evacuated from the building.Flames and smoke were seen coming from the roof at the building's rear and up to 300 staff and 100 visitors were evacuated from the building.
More than 30 firefighters are at the scene although reports suggest the fire is now less severe. More than 30 firefighters are there, but reports by early Friday evening suggest the fire is less severe.
Senior library staff said it was not known how the fire started but everyone was safe.Senior library staff said it was not known how the fire started but everyone was safe.
Director of public services at the library, Arwel Jones, said workers were on the roof before the fire started but it was not possible to say at the moment whether that was linked to the incident. Arwel Jones, director of public services at the library, Arwel Jones, said workers were on the roof before the fire started, but it was not possible to say at the moment whether that was linked to the incident.
The alarm was raised at 14:40 BST. The alarm was raised at 14:40 BST. Reports from the scene suggest a 100ft (30m) section of the roof has been destroyed.
Reports from the scene suggest a 100ft (30m) section of the roof has been destroyed.
The affected area is largely used as office space and for new acquisitions, but it is not thought that any books have been damaged.The affected area is largely used as office space and for new acquisitions, but it is not thought that any books have been damaged.
The library will be closed on Saturday.The library will be closed on Saturday.
Aled Gruffydd Jones, who takes over as head librarian in August, told the BBC Wales news website: "Everybody is out and safe and all the procedures have been followed. Aled Gruffydd Jones, who takes over as head librarian in August, told the BBC Wales News website: "Everybody is out and safe and all the procedures have been followed.
"We need to know what happened and how. I'm puzzled by how it could've started. Clearly we need an inquiry." "We need to know what happened and how. I'm puzzled by how it could have started. Clearly we need an inquiry."
There are now 11 fire appliances at the scene. Some firefighters are using an aerial ladder while others using breathing apparatus have gone into the building. There are 11 fire appliances at the scene. Some firefighters are using an aerial ladder while others using breathing apparatus have gone into the building.
Smoke can been seem coming from a part of the library called Building 2, and the fire service said it was still burning. Smoke can be seen coming from a part of the library called Building 2, and the fire service said it was still burning. A mobile command unit is being set up to co-ordinate the incident.
A mobile command unit is being set up to co-ordinate the incident. The Aberystwyth University sports centre, which is next door to the library, has been closed as a precaution.
Millions of books 'Imposing building'
The Aberystwyth University sports centre which is next door to the library has been closed as a precaution.
Elwyn Williams, head of promotions at the library, said: "We were in a meeting when at 2.40pm when the library's fire alarm went off.Elwyn Williams, head of promotions at the library, said: "We were in a meeting when at 2.40pm when the library's fire alarm went off.
"We followed all our procedures and got staff and visitors out of the building - that went smoothly. "We followed all our procedures and got staff and visitors out of the building - that went smoothly. Then the emergency services arrived and we closed the road leading to the library.
"Then the emergency services arrived and we closed the road leading to the library.
"But we're shutting the library tomorrow due to the incident. It's impossible to know what the cause is at the moment.""But we're shutting the library tomorrow due to the incident. It's impossible to know what the cause is at the moment."
The library has millions of books plus manuscripts, archives, maps, pictures, photographs, films and music. William Powell, Liberal Democrat AM for Mid and West Wales, said: "The library is the home to Wales' precious cultural heritage and any damage or loss of any of the collections housed at the library would be a huge blow.
It was established by Royal Charter on 19 March, 1907, the same day as the National Museum in Cardiff. "We all owe a great deal to the firefighters of the Mid and West Wales Fire Service and I pray that they have been successful in containing the blaze without sustaining injury to themselves," Mr Powell added.
The building, which is on Penglais Hill overlooking Aberystwyth, was started in 1911, and first occupied in 1916. The mayor of Aberystwyth, Dylan Lewis, said: "I could see smoke rising above the building and soon afterwards you could hear the sirens from various different fire appliances making their way up there."
Several extensions have been added since.
The mayor of Aberystwyth, Dylan Lewis, said: "I could see smoke rising above the building and soon afterwards you could hear the sirens from various different fire appliances making their way up there," he said.
"It's a very imposing building - anyone who has ever been to the town will tell you. It looks directly down onto the town and down across the whole of Cardigan Bay."It's a very imposing building - anyone who has ever been to the town will tell you. It looks directly down onto the town and down across the whole of Cardigan Bay.
"It is not just important to the academic life of the town, it is important to the cultural life of the whole of Wales.""It is not just important to the academic life of the town, it is important to the cultural life of the whole of Wales."
Jamie Barker from the neighbouring university students' union said they watched as smoke and flames billowed from the roof.Jamie Barker from the neighbouring university students' union said they watched as smoke and flames billowed from the roof.
"We were all in our offices when we could smell the smoke coming up the hill," he said."We were all in our offices when we could smell the smoke coming up the hill," he said.
"It was very quick. We headed outside, there was quite a crowd gathering on our concourse which overlooks more of the National Library, and that's where we could see the flames billowing up.""It was very quick. We headed outside, there was quite a crowd gathering on our concourse which overlooks more of the National Library, and that's where we could see the flames billowing up."