Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-15
ARRESTED, BUT NOT HELD
Result of Fire on Twelfth Street Early
This Morning.
Miss Lucy Hutchinson Taken Into
Custody, but Released After In
vestigatfOn by Police.

d II,
thirty-seven years old, was arrested this
morning by Policeman Emmert of the first
precinct and taken to the station On sus-
piclon Subsequently. upon giving her
version of the affair. she was released from
custody. Her arrest was the result of a
fire at her house, No. Dos 18th street north
west, about o'clock this morning.
The appearance of the house when the
policeman arrived there indicated to his
mind that the fire had started in three
places. This was explained by Miss Hutch
inson. who said that following the explosion
Of a gasoline stove she used broom in her
efforts to extinguish the flames, and in this
way caused the ignition of some paper in
the pantry and also caused the burning of
the frame work of the dumb waiter. An
alarm of fire was turned in from box 1877
because of an cutlery made by Miss Hutch
inson. About two months ago, 1T is ad-
mitted, there was a slight fire in the same
house.
When the fire started this morning Miss
Hutchinson and two roomers Mr.. Lindsey
Murdoch and Miss Kate Hart. were in the
house. Mr.. Murdoch occupied a room on
the third floor, while Miss Hart was on
the fourth. Both were asleep, and Miss
Hutchinson had to arouse them.
Get up" she called to Mr. Murdoch my
gasoline stove has exploded and the house
is burning
Then she rushed to the top floor and
warned Miss Hart Of the danger. Both
guests hurried from their rooms and rush
ed to the lower floor They were greatly
excited and were soon at work saving their
property. Both Mr.. Murdoch and Miss
Hart had their goods packed ready to move
today. and Miss Hutchinson had also made
arrangements to move her household
effects to storage rooms
Members of the fire department were on
hand soon after the alarm was turned H.
and the flames were quickly extingushed
Held for Further investigation.
Policeman Emmert made a hasty exam
ination of the premises and concluded he
would hold Miss Hutchinson until he could
make a further investigation of the affair.
Later in the day Sergt. Moore visited the
house and assisted in the investigation.
Remnants of the gasoline stove were found
in the kitchen. where the fire occurred,
While in the pantry there was pile of
burned paper, mating and carpets that had
been thrown away. The gasoline stove was
in the south end of the Kitchen near the
steps leading to the first floor and here the
woodwork was charred. At the north end
Of the big kitchen the flames had found
their way to the dumb waiter shaft and
had reached the first floor in this way. The
floor between the place where the stove
had been and shaft for the dumb waiter
was not burned. Damage to the amount of
about $50 was caused the house, which was
the extent Of the loss.
rear on the first floor. In this small room
she had sewing machine and other ma
terials for carrying on her dress making
business. Her bed room and parlor were
comfortably furnished a handsome upright
piano being in the latter room She is a
native Of Virginia. and is well connected.
She has relatives in this city two married
sisters living in Georgetown. When she
reached the police station she vas very
nervous. and was suffering considerably
from shock. There was an injury to thu
back of her head. and she also complained
that her back was injured DIR. Barker was
summoned to attend her. He said that the
injury to her head was the result Of constd-
er2ble violence and could hardly have been
received from a mere fail.
Miss Hutchinson's Statement
In conversation with a Star reporter Miss
Hutchinson said she received this injury
when the stove exploded. The force of
the conclusion was so great she stated,
that she was thrown to the floor and was
rendered unconscious, She remained in
this condition but few seconds, she be-
heved, for she was not burned. When she
got UP she rushed upstairs to warn the
women of the fire, and then had an alarm
sounded. The fire, she thought was caused
by leaky stove. When she had filled the
cups with the fluid and applied the match
the names almost enveloped her. The eff
forts to extinguish the blaze followed, as
stated.
Miss Hutchinson said she had her prop
erty insured in the Home Insurance Com
pany for $1,000. She said she was living on
18th street at the time of the Lansburgh
fire, and lost considerable property After
that she insured her effects. She could see
no reason for her arrest she stated as she
could not possibly have prevented the fire
Lieut.. Amiss had her put in one of the
witness rooms in charge of the matron
Miss Hutchinson was still at the station
at s o clock this afternoon.