The fire at Central Library was an ostensible tragedy, but it also facilitated the possibility for renewal—that is, the construction of a larger library downtown and a much needed new wing. Fire, therefore, operates within the book as a metaphor for renewal, not unlike a phoenix rising from self-immolation. The fire at Central Library also restored the community’s sense of unity, which had either been broken or in question since the 1960s. The fire brought together hundreds of volunteers who were determined to save those books that hadn’t been burned by the fire. In this way, the fire also revived the community’s lifeline. Finally, the fire at Central Library resulted in what it needed most—a larger, more stable library and a new wing to house its more recent acquisitions

The book’s most consistent motif is Orlean’s choice to start each chapter with the titles of numerous books, along with their authors, publication years, and Dewey decimal number. Each set of books that Orlean uses to preface a chapter reflects the story that Orlean will tell in that particular chapter. In this way, Orlean uses the Dewey decimal system, which always seemed both mysterious and sensible to her, to guide her through the mystery of what caused the fire at Los Angeles Central Library, as well as the broader implications of the blaze.