Basra Library set on fire overnight By Bicher Dallal BASRA, April 16 (KUNA) -- An overnight fire at the Central Basra Public Library destroyed the entire collection of books and documents that have been housed there for years.
The fire, which started early morning Wednesday, was not controlled as there are no police or fire forces in Basra as of yet, despite UK troop presence. Iraq's second largest city also lacks adequate water supplies and ample security, which hold people back from leaving their homes once the sun has set in the evening. Former library employees came to the site of the fire in the morning, viewing the remains of the library that were scattered among the ashes. When Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) asked the library manager Alia Baqer who she believed was responsible for the fire, she sarcastically replied, "Hercules." Her husband, who is the head of security at the library, told KUNA that the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) was responsible for protecting the library, but once the fire broke out it was too fierce to control or contain.
The Basra Library fire is just a link in a chain of destructive events that have taken place in this city since the war broke out more than three weeks ago. Basra lacks water and essential supplies, although electricity was restored early Wednesday. (end) bsr.naa KUNA 161427 Apr 03NNNN