The Manhattan Fire Department was alerted of smoke coming out of a building at 700 N. Manhattan, The Dusty Bookshelf, at around 3:45 a.m. Thursday.
@ManhattanFD pic.twitter.com/cKMZMx6iVF
— Manhattan Fire (@ManhattanFD) March 2, 2017
Manhattan Fire Dept battling two-alarm blaze early Thurs at Dusty Bookshelf, 700 N Manhattan Ave in Aggieville. https://t.co/6Suo2yDz2f pic.twitter.com/zYq4xSlxGZ
— Phil Anderson (@Philreports) March 2, 2017
Huge fire in Manhattan Kansas. #VarsityDonuts #wibw pic.twitter.com/9EUQqbH7pg
— Eric Ives (@wibwEric) March 2, 2017
The fire caused heavy smoke damage to both Varsity Donut’s and Thread’s.
.@kstatecollegian Fire early this morning at The Dusty Bookshelf. pic.twitter.com/Pm89HyRbNe
— Kaitlyn Alanis (@KaitlynAlanis) March 2, 2017
As of 7:45 a.m. the fire was contained, but not under control.
The fire is contained at the Dusty Bookshelf. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause. pic.twitter.com/Nd8p2L8td4
— Katherine Curtis (@kath_curtis) March 2, 2017
Some twitter users were up in arms that the iconic bookstore, which first opened in Aggieville in 1985, was up in flames.
NO!!! Not The Dusty Bookshelf! It's an Aggieville icon. pic.twitter.com/KSERARrCB6
— Mike Hays (@coachhays64) March 2, 2017
NOT THE DUSTY BOOKSHELF NOOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/HrkPFaNWim
— Michael A. Gagliano (@MikeFromCollege) March 2, 2017
The pure allegory of Varsity & Dusty Bookshelf in flames is so symbolic to the cascading events of K-State you could call it Fahrenheit 1863
— Ryan Krajicek (@WankieCzech) March 2, 2017
The store was vacant at the time of the fire due to remodeling, so no injuries or burned books were reported. To some, the biggest concern was the well-being of the bookstore cat, Oliver, who had supposedly been seen hanging around the store during renovations.
DUSTY BOOKSHELF HAS A CAT OH NO
— Mindy (@mindiana__jones) March 2, 2017
PLEASE TELL ME THE CAT FROM THE DUSTY BOOKSHELF IS OKAY ? https://t.co/6IHlckSb28
— Anna Siggers (@annasiggers) March 2, 2017
if I could get an update about the wellbeing of the cats from the dusty bookshelf it would be very appreciated
— adri (@AdriElliott) March 2, 2017
At 8:00 a.m. Manhattan Fire Department tweeted a report that Oliver was found safe and sound.
Great news! Oliver the cat has been found safe by fire crews in a neighboring business.
— Manhattan Fire (@ManhattanFD) March 2, 2017
Our first look at Oliver the cat. He's ok. #mhk pic.twitter.com/fSxRoHbzja
— WIBW Shawn Wheat (@wibwShawn) March 2, 2017
Oliver the Cat is safe from the fire in Manhattan. #WIBW pic.twitter.com/fttBp1GwtD
— Eric Ives (@wibwEric) March 2, 2017
The fire was put out at around 9:00 a.m. and an investigation into what caused the fire began, according to RCPD.
Fire at The Dusty Bookshelf is out. Investigation is beginning. Look for a press release from @ManhattanFD fire later on.
— RCPD (@RileyCountyPD) March 2, 2017
@ManhattanFD addresses the fire at 700 N. Manhattan Ave. The roof collapsed but fire is now contained. #MC580 pic.twitter.com/zz3iemMlOo
— Kaitlyn (@kaitlynheier) March 2, 2017
Some twitter users chimed in with comedic relief.
My physics lab TA: "I wine Wednesday'd too hard, but I should have went to the Dusty Bookshelf, I heard it was lit"
— Megan Robertson (@MeganSue95) March 2, 2017
I wonder if the Dusty Bookshelf is going to change its name to the Charred Bookshelf or something along those lines
— Grant England (@TheNamesGrant14) March 2, 2017
