Vellum tips at the corners of boards can spring loose through the cover materials and endpapers. As with leather, it can sustain mold growth in damp conditions. Damage from Fire Libraries and archives are extremely combustible. If a collection is not consumed by the flames, there is still likely to be considerable damage from heat and smoke. Books which were not directly in the path of the Los Angeles Public Library fire, for example, were still charred at the edges by the tremendous heat generated by the blaze.
Soot can travel from the site of a fire throughout an entire collection as well.
Others may harden and discolor. These may be permanently stained by soot, which contains extremely fine particles of carbon. Soot also contains larger, rougher particles, which can be very abrasive. Excessive heat may increase oxidation of the materials and cause embrittlement. Leather Leather may also be stained and abraded by soot.