As paranormal investigators, one of the principles that we here at The Occult Section push and push over and over is Occam’s Razor. Simply put, the most rational explanation is usually the correct one. Unfortunately, with the current spate of paranormal “reality” TV shows and their quest for ratings, and everyone wanting to experience some paranormal activity of their own, this principle is largely ignored these days. So people keep photographing dust and thinking they are ghostly orbs, videotaping airplanes and thinking they are UFOs, and proclaiming every bit of static on their recorders to be an EVP. We ran across this funny little story about a supposedly haunted library, and there is definitely a lesson to be learned here about Occam’s Razor.
“Oh, I’m sure it’s just the ghosts doing some renovating upstairs. Best to just assume that and not check.”
A leaky roof at the building that houses the Middletown library and historical society caused part of the plaster ceiling to collapse this week, borough officials said.
Historical society staff discovered the collapse Tuesday and notified borough officials today, Middletown spokesman Chris Courogen said. No one was hurt. The plaster broke some sort of collectible glass, but otherwise no artifacts were damaged, he said.
Courogen estimated the section of the roof that collapsed to be about eight feet in diameter. The library is on the first floor and the historical society is on the second floor of the building in the first block of North Catherine Streets.
It’s unknown when the collapse happened. Library staff heard some noises Monday evening, but “with the report of this building being haunted, they were wondering if that’s what it was,” Courogen said.
Officials believe rain leaked through the rubber roof and weakened the ceiling. They hope they can reseal the leak instead of having to pay for the entire roof being replaced, Courogen said.
Insurance may cover the repairs, Courogen said.
The lesson? If you hear your roof creaking loudly, maybe have an expert inspect it before it collapses. It’s more likely due to structural fatigue, rain, and plain old age rather than ghosts.
