The Mackintosh library
Photo: Courtesy Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Firemen saved the archives but could not save the library. The Glasgow School of Art’s “Mack Library,” once located on the first floor of the Rennie Mackintosh–designed building, was destroyed by fire on Friday when a blaze started midday.

artnet News reported the story while the inferno was still raging.

The Mackintosh Library before it was destroyed
Photo: Courtesy Glasgow School of Art.

According to The Scotsman, Scotland’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury said “the government would pledge ‘millions’ if necessary” to restore the only public building designed by Mackintosh still used for its original purpose. The building is a major tourist attraction.

The Mackintosh Library before it was destroyed
Photo: Courtesy Glasgow School of Art.

Floor plan of the first floor of the Glasgow School of Art.
Image: S. Aure, courtesy Glasgow School of Art, 2011.

The school’s Twitter feed announced that there will be a Mack Lib reminiscences book lodged in @gsofa archives.