Putney Library, South London: Ashes and charred fragments of antipodean newsprint are all that remain of a copy of "The Australian" newspaper, ignited last night, shortly after 7pm, in an apparent arson attack. Library staff have not ruled out a connection with Al Qaeda.
Suspicions were aroused when a member of the public noticed smoke coming from a desk adjacent to where she was working. Witnesses report seeing the newspaper atop the desk, in flames. A strong smell of burning was also reported. Minutes earlier an "unkempt, bearded man" in his late forties or early fifties had been seen reading the newspaper. It is believed that he may have set fire to it using a small incendiary device, before leaving the library. The motive for the attack is not clear.
Library staff acted quickly to bring the blaze under control, before taking witness statements from members of the public. One reader claimed to have seen the suspect a number of times before. The man, described as an "eccentric", had been seen reading the sports page of the Independent newspaper in other libraries in the Wandsworth area. It is not known whether he has ignited his reading material on any previous occasion, or if the destruction of the newspaper is connected with the recent visit to London by the Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Staff have been unable to confirm whether the suspect is in possession of a valid library ticket.
Library staff acted quickly to bring the blaze under control, before taking witness statements from members of the public. One reader claimed to have seen the suspect a number of times before. The man, described as an "eccentric", had been seen reading the sports page of the Independent newspaper in other libraries in the Wandsworth area. It is not known whether he has ignited his reading material on any previous occasion, or if the destruction of the newspaper is connected with the recent visit to London by the Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Staff have been unable to confirm whether the suspect is in possession of a valid library ticket.
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Small incendiary device!? If you mean a lighter or a box of matches just say so
29.07.2005 09:40
.
Incendiary language
29.07.2005 10:30
Scarecrow
al q is burning ur neurons
29.07.2005 10:52
gippo
Lesson in a foreign language
29.07.2005 12:50
But as far as Rupert Murdoch's garbage is concerned - go ahead, make my day (but do not set the library on fire please - i am a librarian myself).
Cornelius Coot
Bang bang, you shot me down...
29.07.2005 15:08
In any case, I can assure you that my name is grammatically correct, meaning, indeed, "Frightened of Ghosts" in a popular continental European language. Bang Van Spoken is an acceptable alternative (he's a cousin of mine)
Bang Van Geesten