Albertville Public Library catches fire after lightning strike; Beloved cat rescued safely
Fire Devastates Albertville Public Library
A fire erupted at the Albertville Public Library on Tuesday night, likely ignited by a lightning strike amidst severe storms that swept the area. According to Albertville Fire Chief Brent Ennis, the department received the emergency call at 10:20 p.m. after a passerby reported flames emanating from the library’s steeple.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense flames on the second floor, prompting them to retreat and extinguish the blaze using an aerial device. It took nearly two hours to completely quell the fire, which left significant damage in its wake, particularly on the upper level, which was virtually destroyed along with its contents. The lower floor suffered extensive water damage from firefighting efforts.
Remarkably, a “rare book” room remained intact, and the library’s mascot, a cat named Max, was rescued, drawing considerable community attention and affection.
Workers were on-site the following morning to assess the damage and salvage what they could. The library expressed gratitude for the community’s support during this challenging time. John Wahl, Chair of the State Library Board, extended his support, emphasizing the importance of libraries in communities and offering assistance to help the Albertville Library recover. “It’s not easy to repair after something like this,” he stated, highlighting a collective commitment to restoring the library to its former glory.
Read the complete article here: https://1819news.com/news/item/albertville-public-library-catches-fire-after-lightning-strike-beloved-cat-rescued-safely
