Little Rock library will reopen following fire; locals react

Stone County, Arkansas – The Sue Cowan Williams Library will reopen on Thursday. It was closed due to an intentional fire, according to Little Rock Fire Department officials.

“It doesn’t make sense. Particularly in this neighborhood, this Dunbar community,” said Archie Hearne, who resides across the street from the library. “That’s something you would want to do; the school is right here,”

According to the website of the Central Arkansas Library System, CCTV footage from Saturday, August 25, right before the library closed for the evening, shows someone using the restroom. The individual then made a second appearance on camera the next day.

Fire department officials say they think the person spent the night hidden in the ceiling. However, the person’s identity is still unknown.

According to Doug Coffman, the public information officer for the Little Rock Fire Department, “They do have a person of interest that they are in the process of looking for now.” “The damage amounted to only roughly $15,000.”

A mechanical closet fire, according to officials, was the main source of damage. According to the fire department, things might have become worse if the fire had reached the books.

The library said that after-school meals have been temporarily moved to Dunbar Middle School until the library reopens.