The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-24
RE-STRICKEN CITIES ARE OCCUPIED WITH
 THE WORK OF RELIEF
,continued from Page One,

afternoon publication of later years lost their plants. The Chronicle, driven from it's new 10-story building, published min- lature edition this morning in local job plant. The Herald published a small sized issue and arranged to get out its usual editions tomorrow afternoon at Thomson Ga, a nearby town. The fire, which ragged for more than nine hours last night, was brought to a halt early today after it had crossed Green street.
 An area of about one and one-fourth square miles was ravaged by the flames, which were driven by a heavy gale. The Augusta firemen were powerless and ap- paratus was sent from Columbia, Charleston, Atlanta, Macon, Savannah and Waynesboro. The wind subsided just after l o'clock and it was not until then that the firemen could gain in their fight. STARTED IN DYER BUILDING Starting in the Dyer building at the corner of Eighth and Broad streets, the fire spread rapidly to Cotton Row" in the rear; whipped around the Empire Life Insurance building and then by leaps and bounds destroyed block after block, except the sixth, on Broad street. The flames cut a swarth from two to three blocks wide for eight blocks on Broad street down to East Boundary, the end of the city. The flames leaped across Broad street to the southside at Ebert street and cut their way through to Green street.
 Many of the residences destroyed were of brick construction. On the south side of Broad street substantial brick build- ing was destroyed while a flimsy wooden house next door was not damaged.
 The street railway company, the tele- phone company and the electric lighting company suffered heavy losses and service has been crippled.
 Estimates today placed the number of residences destroyed at between 600 and zoo, including some of the finest old homes in Augusta. No estimate can be placed on the value of the contents of these homes. The owners saved practically nothing.l
 Today over 5000 persons were homeless Many spent the night walking the streets, while others slept in the halls of the large hotels.
 Thref companies of the National Guard of Gefrgia were patrolling the streets duringkhe entire night and strict watch was kept today on the devastated district. No report of footing has been received by officers.
 There were many narrow escapes, but no one has been seriously injured. Sev- eral firemen have been sent to the hospi- tals suffring from burns and bruises.
 Officials of the fire department today began an investigation into the cause of the fire but as yet no explanation has been offered The only thing developed is that the fire started yesterday after- noon at 615 o'clock near an elevator shaft in the Kelly dry goods store in the Dyer building.
 The History building occupied by the Augusta Chronicle, was practically destroyed The Herald building was also burned.
 ESTIMATE OF LOSSES
 Revised estimates of losses in the 800 block of Broad street are approxi- mately as follows:
 Dyer building, $750,000; Richards Sta tionery company, 5000; Warren build ings and contents, $150,000.
 The losses on the Broad street front age are:
 Union Savings Bank building, $60,- 900; Postal Telegraph plant, $17,000; Empire Life Insurance building, $200,- 900; Western Union Telegraph plant, $15.000; Schneider building, $15.000; Herald building, $15.OOo; Commercial club, $35,000; Masonic temple, $30,000, and the Irish American building, $25,- 900.
 Cotton factors today estimated that