The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-02
EXCITEMENT IN
ANCIENT ROME
Hall Of Inscriptions ia the Vati-
can AblaZs.
GREAT DAMAGE RESULTED
POPE Plus DIRECTED THE WORK
OF FIREMEN.

/ DONE, Nov. Fire broke out at $50
/ N tonight in tina. portion Of the vati-
can containing the hail Of iusCrip-
tions. where the pope gives his audi
ence and which is adjacent to the IA
nous PinacOteca, or gallery. Of pictures.
] The alarm caused much confusion and
excitement in the vatican. Strenuous
efforts were made to control the flames
and the firemen of Rome We're called TO
lend their help. AT a quarter past II
the fire was under control. No lives
were lost. No idea Of the damage can
Yet be obtained. The pope came to the
scene in person and remained until the
arrangements to fight the fire were
made.
The fire caused a greater sensation I'm
Rome than any other event since the
death of Pope Leo. The safety of the
pope was the first thought I'm every
ones mind. but this was soon assured.
When the pontih arrived at the scene
he ordered every one 70 assist in ex-
unguishing the flames.
Smoke Discovered.
The first intimation of fire was had
when smoke was seen issuing from The
apartment OF NJ. Marie which is located
above that of Father Ehrle. the Librarian.
who lived over the library itself 81.
Marls is a celebrated French restorer OF
ancient manuscripts and Illuminated
books he Is at present engaged i'm copy
ing work. and mis- first reproductions
have been selected for part of the vatican
exhibit at the St Louis exposition. The
famous Bramante staircase leads TO thar
part OF the vatican where the fire broke
out The gendarmes broke fin the doors
OF NJ. Marles' apartment and found nim
IN a heavy sleep. Tt is supposed NE re-
tired and forgot 10 take proper precau-
lions with his kitchen fire. which prOb3-
draperies- The fire started. and IL rapid
ly assumed such proportions that the
gendarmes who were the first ON the
scene gave an immediate general alarm.
The whole palace aWoke to instant Hte.
The Swiss guards. the pdpal firemen,
gendarmes. priests and domestics an
confusion, asking what was the matter.
no one knowing where or what the dan
ger was, or what 10 do.
Pope at Prayers.
News of the fire was Immediately con-
veyed 70 the pope, who was found kneel-
prayer He insisted on going at once 10
the scene, notwithstanding the fact that
ne was begged TO think first of his own
safety. He was accompanied by Mgr.
Merry Del Val, the papal secretary of
statei Mgr. BisleO. the papal major dOmO,
and Mgr. Dellichs. and followed by the
members of the noble guard attached %
MS person. The moment he arrived his
mind grasped the gravity of the situation
and he ordered that the fTremeu of Rome
Dc called This was done 10y telegraph.
The firCmcu- arrived fn about ten minutes
ana although they brought four engines
with them and were at once ready 90 De-
gin operations. ii took some time TO find
the best way TO get sufficient water sup
ply with which TO fight the fire. Tn the
meantime the flames had begun to break
out Of the windows Of NJ Marles' apart
ment and were destroying the roof. The
flames lighted up the entire district and
gave the impression that nothing could
stop their fury When the fire engines
began working three rooms were already
entirely destroyed by the flames. which
were extending 20 the other apartments
Mayor in the Vatican.
The pope withdrew as soon as he saw
that everything possible was being zone.
Information had been sent 20 the Italian
authorities They were cOurteOusly in
vited to enter, and did so. Therefore. FOR
the first time since the fan of the power
of the vatican the mayor of Rome ami
even SignOr Ronchette. the newly up-
pointed minister of Justice. entered the
vatican In their official capacities. Hncy
gave orders directing the work and par
tiCipdted personally in the fight II was
a very difficult fire TO overcome: there
We're number of old and iuflammable
objects in the apartment of NJ Marie fun
Of COmbusrDles- The competition be-
tween the papal firemcn and the firemen
Of Rome TO see who should work the har-
der and do the most resulted in q dis
play of courage which was really admir-
able. some OF the fire fighters Tisking
their lives until they were restrained by
their superiOrs
No Estimate Of Damage.
At a little after il O'Clock the fire was
under control. but the work of the fire
men will continue for some time IL is
doubtful if they viii leave the scene be-
fore tomorrow night Fresh RELAYS or
men were being sent to relieve those who
have exhausted themselves. The entire
museum Of Inscriptions in the rooms of
Father Ehrle, part of the library and the
printing houses were entirely flooded with
water Tt is impossible TO reach even an
approximate idea OF the extent of dam
age Many articles We're saved incud-
ing some ancient and very valuable arms.
which were recently moved 90 the library
room from the Rorgia apartment Many
things that escaped the flames We're in
jured by water