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Show DISASTROUS FIRE IN VATICAN LIBRARY ROME. Xov. 1. Fire broke out at S:30 tonight in that portion of the Vatican Vati-can containing the hall of inscriptions, inscrip-tions, where the pope gives his audience audi-ence and whioh is adjacent to the famous fa-mous F'inacoteca, or gallery of pictures. The aiarm caused much confusion and excitement in the Vatican. Strenuous efforts were made to control the flames and the firemen of Rome were called to lend their help. At a quarter past 11 the fire was under control. Xo lives were lost. Xo 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 in Rome than any other event, sipce the death of Pope Leo. The safety of the pope was the first thought in every one's mind, but this was soon assured. When the pontiff arrived at the scene he ordered every one to assist in extinguishing ex-tinguishing the flames. Smoke Discovered. The first intimation of fire was haa when smoke was seen issuing from '.tie apartment of M. Marie, which is located above that of Father Ehrle, the librarian, who lived over the library itself. M. Marie is a celebrated French restorer of ancient manuscripts and illuminated books; he is at present engaged in 'copying 'copy-ing a work, and his first reproductions 'have been selected for part of the Vatican exhibit at the St. Louis exposition. The famous Bramante staircase leads to ttiat part of the Vatican where the fire broke out. The gendarmes broke in the doors of M. Maries' apartment and found him in a heavy sleep. Jt Is supposed he retired re-tired and forgot to take proper precautions precau-tions with his kitchen fire, which probably proba-bly blazed up and ignited some nearby draperies. The fire started, and it rapidly 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 life. The Swiss guards, the papal firemen, gendarmes, priests and domestics all rushed hither and thither in ignorant confusion, asking what was the matter, no one knowing where or what the danger dan-ger was, or what to do. Pope at Prayers. News of the fire was immediately conveyed con-veyed to the pope, who was t'ouad kneeling, kneel-ing, in his chapel for his usual evening prayer. He insisted on going at once to the scene, notwitbstanding the fact that he was begged to think first of his own safety. - He was' accompanied by Mgr. Merry Del Val. tbp papal secretary of state; Mgr. Eisleo. the papal major dbmo, and Mgr. Deilichs. and followed by the members of the noble guard attached to his person. The moment he arrived his mind grasped the gravity of the situation and he ordered that the firemen of Rome be called. This as done by telpgraph. The firemen arrived in about ten minutes, and although tbop' brought four-engines with them and were at once ready to Ce-. gin operations, it took some time to find the best way to get sufficient water supply sup-ply with which to fight the fire. In the meantime the flames had begun to break out of the windows of-M. Maries' apartment apart-ment and were destroying the roof. The flames lighted uu the entire district and gave. the impression that nothing could etop'their fury. 'When the fire engines began working three rooms were already entirely destroyed 'by the flames, whfen were extending tp the oTher apartments. Mayor in the Vatican. The pope withdrew as soon as he saw that everything possible was being done. Information had been sent to the Italian authorities. They were courteously invited in-vited to enter, and did so. Therefore, for the first time since the fall of the power of the Vatican the mayor of Rome and even Signor Ronchette, the newly , appointed ap-pointed minister of justice, entered the Vatican in their official capacities. They gave orders directing the work and participated par-ticipated personally, in the fight. It was a very difficult fire, to overcome; there were a number of old and inflammable objects in the apartment of M. Marie.' full of combustibles. The competition between be-tween the papal firemen and the firemen of Rome to see who should work the harder har-der and do the -most, resulted in a display dis-play of courage which was really admirable, admir-able, some of the fire fighters risking their lives until they Were restrained by their superiors. No Estimate of Damage. At a little after 11 o'clock the fire was under control, but the work of the firemen fire-men will continue for some time. It is doubtful if they will leave the scene before be-fore tomorrow night. Fresh relays of 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. It Is impossible to reach even an approximate idea of the extent of damage. dam-age. M,ny articles were saved, including includ-ing some ancient and very valuable arms, which were recently moved to the lihrary room from the Borgia apartment. Many things that escaped the flames were injured in-jured by water ' |