WASHINGTON-- There is a fire at the Georgetown Public Library at Wisconsin and R streets in Northwest D.C.
It went to a third alarm shortly before 1 p.m. Monday afternoon.
Early reports indicate there is significant damage to the library. Most of the roof has been burned off. One of the first people on the scene, a volunteer firefighter Mark Livingstone, said he noticed smoke coming from the roof.
Livingstone and others say the first fire hydrants did not operate properly. Also, Dave Statter reports there was difficulty getting water to a hose line on an area ladder directly in front of the burning building.
According to neighbors, the library has the Peabody room on the second floor where many historic documents relating to Georgetown and City history are kept.
This is the second historic building to burn in DC today, but is believed to be a coincidence. The fire broke out just as the city's new fire chief and Mayor Fenty finished a press conference. Both responded and are now on the scene.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
