Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-02
FIRE IN VATICAN.
Heavy Damage in the Famous
Hall Of Inscriptions
Pope Plus Remains on Scene--City
firemen and Officials Fight Flames.
Priceless Treasures Destroyed or Dam
aged by Water.

~
Rome, Nov IA fire broke out at
$50 this evening, in that portion of
the Vatican containing the Hall of In
scrptiOns, where the Pope gives his
|audiences and which is adjacent to the
famOus Pinacoteca, or gallery of pic
lures. The alarm caused much cOnfu-
sion and excitement in the Vatican.
Strenuous efforts were made to control
the flames and the firemen or Rome
We're called to lend their help. At Ills
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
completed.
The fire caused greater sensation in
Rome than has any other event since
the death of Pope Leo. The outbreak
of flames in such a conspicuous place
wherein were many celebrated treas
ures brought out great numbers of anX-
ious people in spite of a torrential rain.
The safety of the Pope was the first
thing in every ones mind, but this was
soon assured. The first intimation of
fire was had when smoke was seen is
suing from the apartment of M. Marie,
the celebrated French reStOrer of an
cient manuscripts and illuminated
books. The famous Bramante stair
case leads to that part of the Vatican
where the fire broke out. The gen
darmes broke in the doors of NJ. Marle's
apartment and found him in Il heavy
sleep. 1t is supposed that he retired
and forgot to take proper precautions
with the kitchen fire, which probably
blazed up and ignited some nearby
hangings. The fire rapidly assumed
such proportions that the gendarmes
gave an immediate general alarm.
News of the fire was Immediately
conveyed to the Pope, who was found
kneeling in his chapel for his usual
evening prayer. He insisted upon go
ing at once 10 the scene, notwithstand-
ing the fact that he was begged to first
thing of his own safety. When he ar
rived at the fire the gravity of the stu
alton was seen by him ana he ordered
that the firemen of Rome be called.
Meantime the flames had begun tt
break out of the windows of M. Marle's
apartment and We're destroying the
fOG1. i Hey llSItei UP the SiltiS Viz
trict and gave the impression that
nothing could stop their fury.
The Pope withdrew as soon as he
saw that everything possible was being
done to fight the fire.
Information had been sent to the
Italian authorities, who hurried to st.
Peters. They We're courteously invited
to enter and did so. Therefore for the
| first time since the fail of the temporal
rover of the Vatican the mayor OF
Rome, the project. police officials and
even Signor Ronchetti, the newly APP
pointed minister of justice, entered the
| Vatican in their official capacities. They
save orders directing the work of COM
batting the flames and participated per-
sonally in the fight.
At a little after II O'Clock. the fire
was under control but the work of the
fremen will continue for some time and
| it is doubtful if they Will leave the
scene before tomorrow morning: Fresh
relays of men are being sent to relieve
those whose efforts have exhausted
them.
The entire museum of inscriptions,
the rooms of Father Ehrle, part of the
library and the printing houses We're
entirely flooded with water. Many
things that escaped the fans were in
jured by water, especially the precious
private library of Pope Leo, which
Father Ehrle was in the midst of re-
arranging in accordance with the last
wish of the late Pontiff.