By Associated Press
Winston-Salem, Jan. 10—Fire of unknown origin last night destroyed the city high school building here, the value of the burned building being placed at $150,000, a total of $35,000 insurance having been carried which sum was the original costs of the structure built in 1908.
The Winston-Salem high school will re-open Monday in the new high school, which is nearing completion.
The fire, which was one of the most disastrous that has visited the city in some time, was witnessed by several thousand people. The streets adjacent to the burning building were packed with streams of humanity, both white and black, and the police had to be called in to assist in keeping the crowd beyond the fire lines.
The fire, which originated in the basement, was swept on by a high wind, and at times the flames shot high in the air. At one time it looked as if the wall on the south side of the building might topple over on the Presbyterian church, just a few feet away, but steady streams of water kept the wall cooled sufficiently to prevent such an occurrence.
At 1 o’clock this morning the fire, while confined within the four walls of the building, was still burning steadily, and several streams of water were being poured on the glowing embers.
The fire was first discovered by Leo Caldwell and Henry McCorkle, high school boys, who were on their way downtown on an eastbound street car. As they passed the high school they noticed the fire in the basement, and immediately gave the alarm.
From the front page of the Salisbury Evening Post, January 10, 1923
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