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National Library of Wales fire investigation to begin National Library of Wales fire investigation to begin
(about 3 hours later)
An investigation will be launched after a major fire destroyed part of a roof at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.An investigation will be launched after a major fire destroyed part of a roof at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
The section of roof on what is known as building two took around 50 firefighters nearly four hours to bring under control on Friday.The section of roof on what is known as building two took around 50 firefighters nearly four hours to bring under control on Friday.
Crews were still there on Saturday morning to ensure it did not re-ignite.Crews were still there on Saturday morning to ensure it did not re-ignite.
They are also working with library staff to "protect the many national treasures" held there. A specialist salvage firm from Oxford is assessing if any damage has been caused to the library's collection.
Up to 300 staff and 100 visitors were evacuated when the alarm was raised at 14:40 BST on Friday. The fire service is also working with library staff to "protect the many national treasures" held there.
Up to 300 staff and 100 visitors were evacuated from the building when the alarm was raised at 14:40 BST on Friday.
Workers had been repairing the roof near to where the fire started, but there is no evidence linking them to the incident.Workers had been repairing the roof near to where the fire started, but there is no evidence linking them to the incident.
Reports from the scene suggested a 100ft (30m) section was destroyed.Reports from the scene suggested a 100ft (30m) section was destroyed.
The affected area was largely used as office space and for new acquisitions. The library is closed on Saturday as the salvage work continues.
Arwel Jones, director of public services at the library, told BBC Radio Wales: "About 70 members of staff would have been affected by water damage more than fire damage," he said.
"But, of course, those members of staff would have been working with various parts of the collection and that's something we will have to ascertain as the salvage operation continues.
"A specialist salvage company from Oxford arrived between 9 and 10 o'clock last night. They've made their initial recce of the building.
"We are confident we have been able to minimise that damage and it isn't a space that is predominantly a storage space - it is office space."
Mr Jones described the library's significant collection as the "memory of the nation".
He said it contained six million books, a million photographs, 30,000 manuscripts, works of art and maps.
Many of the library's books were unique and would not be found elsewhere, he added.
Firefighters, some from as far afield as Carmarthen 50 miles (80km) away, attended the scene along with 11 fire appliances, and it was not until 18:30 BST on Friday that the blaze was put out.Firefighters, some from as far afield as Carmarthen 50 miles (80km) away, attended the scene along with 11 fire appliances, and it was not until 18:30 BST on Friday that the blaze was put out.
Mark Cole, a historian and chairman of Ceredigion council, was at the library when the fire started.Mark Cole, a historian and chairman of Ceredigion council, was at the library when the fire started.
'Historic documents'
He said historians around the UK had shown concern for the hundreds of unique documents and books held within the library following the blaze.He said historians around the UK had shown concern for the hundreds of unique documents and books held within the library following the blaze.
"I was with Cardigan Castle archive group and we were in a middle of a tour of the national library when the fire alarm went off," said Mr Cole."I was with Cardigan Castle archive group and we were in a middle of a tour of the national library when the fire alarm went off," said Mr Cole.
"We thought it was a false alarm, but after being evacuated we soon realised there was a fire in the roof. It was scary and upsetting - everybody was shocked."We thought it was a false alarm, but after being evacuated we soon realised there was a fire in the roof. It was scary and upsetting - everybody was shocked.
"There has been genuine concern from historians on Twitter about the extent of the damage and the threat to unique and historic documents."There has been genuine concern from historians on Twitter about the extent of the damage and the threat to unique and historic documents.
"The national library is one of only five deposit libraries in the UK [which can request a free copy of every single publication]."The national library is one of only five deposit libraries in the UK [which can request a free copy of every single publication].
"It's a very, very significant library not just in Wales but in the UK. It's a special place.""It's a very, very significant library not just in Wales but in the UK. It's a special place."
Library staff said it was not known how the fire started, but everyone was safe.Library staff said it was not known how the fire started, but everyone was safe.
The affected area was 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 as the clean-up continues.
Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Mid and West Wales William Powell said it was important to establish the facts to prevent a similar fire in the future.
"It is therefore right that a full and swift inquiry is held and that its findings are given due consideration," he added.
Mr Powell also praised the fire crews who tackled the blaze, saying their swift action averted a much greater disaster.
"The whole nation owes them a real debt of gratitude," he added.
Aled Gruffydd Jones, who takes over as head librarian in August, said on Friday that he was puzzled by how the fire could have started. "Clearly we need an inquiry," he added.Aled Gruffydd Jones, who takes over as head librarian in August, said on Friday that he was puzzled by how the fire could have started. "Clearly we need an inquiry," he added.
The Aberystwyth University sports centre, which is next door to the library, was closed as a precaution.The Aberystwyth University sports centre, which is next door to the library, was closed as a precaution.