Uxbridge Public Library remains closed after lightning struck its historic clock tower and sparked a fire during Tuesday afternoon’s severe weather.
The Uxbridge library fire was reported shortly after 4 p.m. on July 21. Firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the flames, while library employees safely evacuated staff, visitors and children participating in a summer camp program. No injuries were reported.
The children were taken to the council chambers at Uxbridge Town Hall, where they continued doing crafts until their parents arrived.
Uxbridge Library Fire Causes Structural Damage
A later update shared by the Township of Uxbridge said the clock tower sustained structural damage.
The building will remain closed until specialists complete damage assessments and determine that it is safe for staff and members of the public to re-enter. The full extent of the damage and the expected repair timeline have not yet been announced.
Library camps scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, were relocated to the Town Hall council chambers. The Township said people affected by additional program relocations or cancellations would be contacted directly.
Residents should check official Township and library updates before travelling to the building. The library’s regular operating hours listed online do not override the emergency closure notice.
The Uxbridge branch is located at 9 Toronto Street South. Its website also provides access to online catalogues and digital resources that may remain available while the physical building is closed.
Staff Praised for Safe Evacuation
Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton praised firefighters for containing the fire and library employees for moving everyone safely out of the building.
Township officials said staff followed established emergency procedures, notified parents and relocated the children without reported injuries.
The response also involved municipal emergency-management staff, communications personnel and insurance representatives as officials began evaluating the building.
Residents should remain outside any fenced or restricted area surrounding the library while inspections and repairs are underway. Structural damage may not always be visible from ground level, and access decisions should be left to fire officials, engineers and municipal staff.
Clock Tower Dates Back to 1887
The library building and clock tower are important parts of Uxbridge’s local history.
The Joseph Gould Institute building officially opened on December 9, 1887. According to the library’s historical records, the tower clock was purchased from the Seth Thomas Clock Company of Connecticut through Phillip Taylor of Whitby for $315.
The original wooden clock mechanism remains preserved inside the library and was traditionally operated using a large winding crank. The building was designated as historic in 1981 and underwent exterior restoration work during the 1980s.
The tower had also undergone recent clock and chime restoration work before Tuesday’s lightning strike.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether the clock mechanism, hands, chimes or other heritage features were damaged. Those details should not be assumed until the inspection is complete.
The Uxbridge library fire article should be updated when the Township confirms the assessment results, reopening plans, program arrangements and repair requirements.
Residents should rely on official notices for those updates rather than attempting to enter the site or sharing unconfirmed damage estimates online.
