1949 - CHINATOWN FIRE DAMAGE $20,000.

San Francisco, Sept. 9. (AP) - A three alarm fire his Chinatown early Thursday.

The blaze broke out in the basement of a vacant three story building on California street just above Grant. It was controlled in a half hour. Fire Chief EDWARD P. WALSH estimated damage at $20,000.

Seventy five persons in an adjoining lodging house were evacuated. WALSH said the fire may have been started by an itinerate sleeping in the vacant building, formerly a hotel. Three firemen were hurt fighting the blaze.