Phoenix Punishes 5 More Employees Over Burton Barr Library Flood

By Al Macias
Published: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 - 5:36pm

Five more city of Phoenix employees have been punished as a result of flooding at Burton Barr Library last summer. The flooding caused an estimated $10 million in damage.

Last July, a storm shook the roof of the city’s main library, knocking loose dust. That triggered the fire sprinkler system, which sprung leaks due to corroded pipes, causing water damage on all five floors of the library.

Now five employees of the Phoenix fire department have been demoted, suspended or fired. A report from city manager Ed Zuercher says a clerk who was supposed to process inspection reports failed to do so properly. She was fired.

The city manager also demoted a fire marshal, suspended an assistant chief, a deputy chief and captain.

Zuercher had already fired three employees in the library and Public Works Department in October. An investigation determined they knew, or should have known, about the serious issues with the library's sprinklers but failed to act.

In addition, three other employees were demoted or suspended.

The library is scheduled to re-open in June.