Side view of the National Library after its fire

In the early morning of May 10, 1943, a voracious fire consumed much of the building and the collections of the then National Library of Peru. The culprits were the subject of controversy and investigation.
"At 1 3/4 in the morning of May 9 [10], the fire became visible from the outside, first of all noticing the faction guard at the corner of Cascarilla and Zavala streets, Don Valeriano Grados and others, who came to his call, who upon perceiving the large amount of smoke that came out, proceeded to force the door, ..., then being surprised to find that the entire right side of the library was totally on fire, advancing the fire from the inside out. " - Investigation commission report (1945)