Fire Closes City of Tonawanda Library

"Closed indefinitely".  That was the assessment of City of Tonawanda officials after an electrical fire forced the evacuation of the Tonawanda Library on Main Street this week.

Firefighters were called to the library when a fire was spotted on a pole outside the library which necessitated power to the building to be shut down.  And while the power is out the library will be closed.

It was just last summer that I was at that library branch reading to young kids for an hour to encourage them to read.  It was part of the Buffalo and Erie County Library System's Summer Reading Program.  I had a group of about a dozen kids along with their parents who actually stayed to listen to the stories I read from books they selected.

Timing for the fire couldn't be worse.  It comes at a time when kids are off for winter break and at this time of year it's a perfect place for them to go.

Damage to the library was minimal, but while officials scramble to get the repairs made to the electrical system the library will be closed.  Insurance is expected to cover at least a portion of the cost.