A fire, in the original wing of McHenry Library currently being renovated, was extinguished by firefighters late Thursday night. The fire was reported shortly after 9 p.m. and was declared out by 10.
Approximately 100 students, studying in the new wing of the library that opened two years ago, were evacuated as a safety precaution. None of the students was injured.
UCSC fire crews responded to the fire, and crews from the City of Santa Cruz and elsewhere in the county were also called to the scene. Firefighters reported that most of the damage appeared to be confined to construction materials.
The state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the incident.
The library will be closed on Friday while fire and other campus staff ensure that it is safe to reoccupy. Since the library is closed on Saturdays, it will not reopen until this Sunday at 10 a.m.
For updated information on Friday and Saturday, please check the library's web site at:
