Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-12-26
MADE HOMELESS BY FIRE
Chilean NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Partially De-
stroyed Early Yesterday Morning.
Plueky Son Of the Minister Performs
Several Acts of Heroism-
Aggregate Loss,

The Chilean minister's residence, at the
southwest corner of Connecticut avenue
and N street was badly damaged and made
unlnhabitable yesterday morning by fire.
Minister Vicuna and his family escaped,
| with the loss of all their wearing apparel,
and took refuge in The British embassy,
which Is situated just across n street from
the burned building. The diplomat is now
| located in a suite in the Hotel Baltic, on X
street, just west of Vermont avenue. The
loss on building and the furnishings is es-
tmated to be between $4,000 and $4,000.
Senior Don Carlos Morla Vicuna's lit
tie son Carlos, aged twelve years, who was
sleeping near the shaft of a parcel eleva-
tor, where the fire originated from an over
heated nue is believed to have been the
nfst to discover the blaze He awoke his
three lltue sisters and their governess, Sig
norma Manfredi, VINO We're also sleeping on
the tnlrd noor, and soon the entire house
mold was up. moving about in their scanty
nlsht attire. Policemen Lynch and Charl
ton, VINO nave been on duty near the Brit
Ism embassy since the escape of Pearson,
the alleged lunatic who attacked Sir
juhan's house, had also discovered smoke
issuing from the roof of the legation. The
biuecoats battered down the front door and
warned the occupants.
Children Rescue Pet Kitten.
Minister Vicuna, when he was first
aroused, took up a pitcher of water and
made his way to the third floor, little dream
ing of the Roadway the flames had already
made, He found the upper floor and attic
filled with smoke. From the burning attic
little Carlos and. his sister Carmen had but
lew minutes before rescued one of their
two pet kittens
Meantime an alarm had been turned in
from the corner of Connecticut avenue and
M street by Thomas Craven, who was pass
ing on his wheel. The first alarm was
sounded about 7:2O o'clock, and a few min
utes later, when the first engines had ar
rived on the scene, a second alarm brought
additional apparatus in a hurry. Streams
We're quickly poured into the top story and
rooT, the water rushing down in torrents,
compelling the minister and his family to
leave their temporary resting place in the
parlor on the first floor. 1t was decided to
quit the house at once. The governess de-
clared her mistress should not go out in
the cold without proper clothing and rush
ed up stairs in the smoke and water to Sc
cure a warm dress. AT lne top of the steps
the brave young woman fell, exhausted and
frightened, and was rescued from her peril
Gus position by Officer Lynch, who, togeth-
er with Charlton, was rendering all the aid
possible The plucky little Carlos was miss
ed again, and 1t was discovered he had
fought his way against a flood of water to
the second floor, his mothers sleeping
apartments, where she had stored her jew
els in safe. Carlos had remembered the
precious stones which had been overlooked
by the Others He soon emptied the safe
and returned triunphantly to his anxious
parents.
Received at British Embassy.
In their night attire the family then pro-
ceeded across the street to the British en-
bassy, where they were Hospitality received
by Lady Pauncefote and her daughters. A
hasty breakfast was prepared, and from
the windows of their refuge the then home
less family watched the work of the flames
A maid in the household, Margaret was
overcome villa fright and was taken bodily
from the burning building by Policeman
Lynch. This brave officer also took off his
oVercoat and shoes, surrendering them to
Slgnorina Manfred, who was wet and shiy-
ering in the cold.
Minister Vicuna and his family remained
at the British embassy until afternoon
when they removed to the Baltic with what
articles of wearing apparel could be secured
from the ruins of the magnificent dwelling
mouse. The upper. stories of the legation
We're Quilted and the remainder of the
building so damaged by water as to make
entire reconstruction necessary. The house
belongs to former Minister Mendonca of
Brazii, and was leased by the Chilean min
lster Much valuable bric-a -brac bronzes
and furnishings, brought from various parts
OF the world, were destroyed or badly dam
aged. N''A