[Train Whistle] On March 22, 1916, 6:20 pm, an alarm was turned in from box 34, located at the corner of Broad and 8th Streets. Box 34 was across the street from the Dyer Building, where the devasting blaze began. Fire Chief Frank G. Reynolds and Engine Co. 1 were on the scene in less than two minutes. The fire was brought under control nearly 11 hours later, but not before scorching 160 acres, burning 682 buildings, destroying 25 businesses and residential blocks— leaving 300 persons temporarily homeless, and causing 6 million dollars in property damage. Remarkably, the blaze claimed no lives. Over 70 firefighters from the city’s five engine companies, 2 hose companies, 1 ladder company, and 1 chemical company fought the fire. Eventually additional help came from the fire departments from Waynesboro, Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, and Greenville. Atlanta and Macon firemen noted the Augusta sky was visible 20 miles from the city, painting the sky a gory red. The disaster resulted in the adoption of a strict building code which included restoring an earlier ban on shingle roofs. The city also authorized the purchase of two automobile pumping engines. [Train Whistle]