• A fire broke out at the Bellville Library, but no injuries were reported.
  
• The Friends of the Library's book room was affected by severe water damage.
• There were no injuries reported, while the library will remain closed until further notice.

Books, furniture and computer equipment were damaged when a fire broke out at an office at the Bellville Library on Monday. 

According to the City's Fire and Rescue Services, firefighters arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon to find smoke billowing from the first floor of the library.

"One office was severely affected, with fire damage to office furniture, computer equipment and also new library books and audio materials housed in this office," spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said on Tuesday.

"The Friends of the Library's book room was affected by severe water damage; and the library's surplus stock room and the first floor of the library sustained serious smoke damage," he added.

No injuries

There were no injuries reported, and the library would remain closed until further notice.

Mayoral committee member for community services and health Zahid Badroodien said the Bellville Library was meant to open soon following the seven other libraries that started providing a drop and collect service this week, in a phased-in approach to provide library services in Cape Town amid the lockdown.

"We are as disappointed as our patrons that this cannot happen now," he said.

Two fire engines and rescue vehicles were on the scene - 12 firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze at 16:07, said Carelse.

Carelse said two fire investigation officers from the Bellville Fire Safety section would investigate the cause of the fire.