Public library destroyed by fire

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Plympton library contained over 25,000 books

A public library's entire stock of books has been destroyed in a major fire which saw the building reduced to a "shell".

Emergency crews were called to Plympton library, near Plymouth, just before 0500 BST on Wednesday.

Fire officers said that the building was a "100% total loss". Two engines and an aerial platform were used to fight the blaze.

About 25,000 books were lost to the flames.

Plympton fire station manager Clive Bartlett said: "The building is a 100% total loss, a valuable resource for the Plympton community has been lost, unfortunately."

It will be completely gutted. It's just a shell really Queenie Spray, witness

Eyewitness Queenie Spray, who had been out walking her three dogs, said: "I drove past at about half-past-four and there was nothing happening.

"Half-an-hour later, it was ablaze. Smoke was billowing and the flames were pretty high."

"There won't be anything left, it will be completely gutted. It's just a shell really, it's very sad."

The library building opened in 1964 and was made largely of wood.

As well as containing thousands of books, it was also used by local clubs and societies.

Fortunately an extensive local history archive had been moved two years ago to Plymouth's Central Library.

Plymouth City Council said only a "handful" of irreplaceable pamphlets and photographs had been lost.

There are plans to set up temporary library facilities in Plympton as soon as possible.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is now under way.