Minor fire damages downtown library elevator

Electrical fire limited to elevator shaft; library open

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Fire Chief, 509.625.7002

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 10:45 a.m.

An electrical fire in the elevator of the downtown library was quickly contained this morning before it opened to the public. No one was injured and the library opened on time.

An employee reported that the elevators were not working and black smoke was seen in the parking garage under the library at 906 W. Main Ave. Fire crews were dispatched at 7:09 am and smelled a light odor on the first floor when they arrived.

Damage was limited to the mechanical infrastructure in the elevator shaft. The library opened on time at 10 am this morning.

Library elevators remain closed while technicians work to repair and reopen. Members of the public who need elevator access are directed to enter through the skywalk from River Park Square.