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[losangeleslibrary]

Video: The 1986 Los Angeles Public Library Fire

[losangeleslibrary]

April 29, 1986 was sad day in Los Angeles. The Central Library suffered a devastating arson fire which started at approximately 10:52 am. 

The enormous fire required a virtual army to extinguish it, including 60 fire companies, 40 command officers and support personnel, 9 rescue ambulances, 4 salvage companies, 3 helicopters, 2 emergency air units, and 1 arson unit, for a total of almost 350 Fire Department and Paramedic personnel. 

An estimated loss of $2 million to the structure and $20 million to the contents occurred. Approximately 400,000 volumes—20 percent of the library's holdings—were destroyed, with significant water and smoke damage done to the surviving works. 

After an intense investigation, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set. The arsonist was never caught.