Cause of fire is "a matter for the fire service" says University
By: Gaudie News
Photograph of what appears to be scorched ground outside the Duncan Rice Library. Courtesy of Rory Buccheri.
As reported earlier today by The Gaudie, a "small fire" is said to have taken place outside the Sir Duncan Rice Library this morning.
As a result of the incident, the University announced that it would be closing the library for the remainder of the day, with students asked to use other libraries such as Taylor instead.
It can now be revealed that the fire, the subsequent debris of which was decsribed as looking like "a small explosion", inolved a vehicle in the car park.
A University of Aberdeen spokesperson told the Gaudie: "The Sir Duncan Rice Library is closed for the remainder of the day due to a small fire that took place outside the building this morning, involving a vehicle.
“The fire service was quickly on the scene to deal with the incident, and we have advised students who wish to access library facilities to use the Taylor Library in Old Aberdeen, or the Polwarth Library at Foresterhill instead."
The University added that its "top priority" was the the health and safety of students and staff which is why the library remained closed.
It said this was also done "as a safety measure due to some smoke having entered the building, and to allow for thorough ventilation to take place."
Photograph by Anttoni James Numminen.
It is not known whether any students were present in library when the incident occured.
However, the library is expected to re-open tomorrow once the University is "fully satisfied it is safe to do so."
