The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-12
FIRES YESTERDAY DO HEAVY DAMAGE
 ID RESIDENCES Terrell Home Destroyed and Serious Losses in Fires at Lum and L0veman
 Homes

The sudden change in cooler weather yesterday gave the fire department it's busiest day in several months. The cen- tral station, located at the city hall, an- swered 28 calls, during the day. The loss for residences was greater than on any previous day within the past year.
 The first fire of the day came early yes- terday morning when the Fashion, 20l0 Second avenue, was seriously damaged by blaze which originated in the rear of the store. The alarm was turned in shortly after o'clock and was answered by all of the city companies.
 The fire was extinguished after some trouble Smoke from the blaze seriously handicapped the firemen Chemicals were used to extinguish the blaze. The damage was placed at $2000.
 The home of George E. Lum, 1923 Six teenth avenue, south, was seriously dam aged by fire which originated on the roof. The roof was burned and the furnishings were damaged The loss was estimated at $500. The flying squadron and sta- tions numbers 2, 3 and ' answered the call The alarm was turned in at 11:45 O clock
 While the fire at the Lum residence was being fought, the home of Robert A. Ter rell, 315 Jasper road Graymont, caught. The Graymont station answered the call but soon asked for assistance. Aid was sent from the central station. .
 The home was completely destroyed, the loss being estimated at $16,000. The high wind hampered the work of the firemen and famed the fire. The house was oi colonial design and was one of the hand sonest in the city The loss is partly covered by insurance.
 The handsome home of Joseph H Loveman, F Fairview Circle, was also destroyed. The alarm was turned in a few minutes before noon. The fire origi- mated on the roof and had gained consid- erable headway before it was discovered by passersby.
 The entire roof was burned off and all of the furnishings on the second floor were damaged. The house was a two- story frame structure. The loss was esti. mated at $80O0 and is partly covered by insurance. Four companies answered the call. They were the flying squadron and numbers 1, and 4.
 Another large fire was at Avenue E and Thirty-first street. where five negro houses were burned to the ground One house was completely destroyed before the fire department arrived. The flames spread rapidly and in addition to the five houses destroyed, four more were seri- ously damaged The alarm was turned in at about 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon Three companies responded.
 Numerous other cans were answered, over 10 being where the damage will ex- ceed $10O, while the remainder were only of a minor nature.
 Assistant Chief Aitken stated last night that yesterday was the busiest day the fire department had n a number of months."' The total damage for the day was estimated at over S50.000 for resi- dences in the city alone.
 Counting the alarms turned in at the suburbs, total of 43 calls were answered during the day. With the exception of the fire at the Fashion early yesterday morn- ing, all came during the day. Extra watches were maintained last night at all stations.