Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-26
BADLY DAMAGED BY FIRE
RESULT OF STROKE OF LIGHT
MING AT TAKoMA PARK.
Home Of Maurice Appleby Almost
Totally Destroyed-Mrs. II. L.
Morris Receives Injury.

severe thunder storm passed over the
northern part of the District and the lower
end of Montgomery county, Nd, yesterday
afternoon about 3 o'clock. doing consider
able damage. Lightning struck the house
OF MIR. Maurice Appleby, on Carroll avenue,
Takoma Park, setting fire to the structure
and severely inturing Mrs. H. L. Morris. a
boarder. Mrs. Appleby was stunned by the
shock, but her three children, who were
on the lower floor of the house at the time,
were not injured. The house was almost
totally destroyed and only a small portion
OF its contents were saved Many residents
OF the Park hurried to the scene of the
fire and aided in rescuing those who were
In the house. Mrs. Morris was burned
severely and her hair was slightly singed,
the burning OF the hair. 1t is stated, re-
sulttng from her combs taking fire. 1t was
necessary to assist Mrs. Morris from the
mouse. She was taken to the house Of
neighbor, and was attended by a physician.
The two families were rendered homeless
by the fire, and had to seek shelter with
a neighbor friend.
Mrs. Morris, whose husband is an cleo
trojan, was married two weeks ago and
her husband had arranged to board at the
mouse OF the Appleby family during the
summer months. When Mrs. Morris saw
the storm approaching from the west yes
terday afternoon she went to one of the
windows and was about to close the blinds
when the lightning struck the roof of the
mouse, tearing off shingles and demolishing
the window where she was standing. Pieces
OF broken glass were hurled in all directions
and the combs the woman was wearing
ignited, as stated.
Blaze Quickly Extinguished.
Mrs. Norris had presence of mind enough
to extinguish the blaze before it had gained
Roadway enough to endanger her life Mr..
E. Norman Jackson, whose home is oppo-
site the property Of Mr.. Appleby, was clos
ing his attic window at the time the light
ming struck the house of his neighbor.
When he saw the shingles torn from the
roof he hurried across the avenue to see If
ne could be Of assistance to the family, and
Mr. George E. Favorite, another neighbor,
sent an alarm to the fire department.
Shortly after the alarm was sounded the
Takoma fire company and the Brightwood
chemical company responded. The mem
save the house and contents, but the flames
had spread so rapidly that they were
unable to save any of the upper portion
Of the house and only a small portion Of
the furniture. Friends received the two
homeless families and cared for them until
Takoma Park later in the day. The hus-
bands were shocked when informed of what
had occurred, but they made the best of
their trouble and accepted the hospitality of
neighbors last night. Mr.. Appleby is one
of the expert rifiemen of the District Of
Columbia National Guard, and is employed
in the navy yard.
1t is estimated that the fire caused about
5000 damage to the house and contents.
Mr.. Appleby carried insurance on his house
and household effects, but not enough to
cover the damage done yesterday.