Chungking, Aug. 20. "The "down town" of Chungking is practically non-existent as a result of Japanese aircraft unloading tons of incendiary bombs over the heart of the city during the past 24 how The so-called upper section of the city was completely gutted by fire yesterday afternoon, when the record number of 190 bombers rained death and destruction, while the lower section was destroyed this afternoon, in yet another devastating attack by four groups of Japanese aircraft.
The buildings of the well-known British firms of Messrs. Butterfield Swire and Messrs. Barry & Dodwell are in flames, The firm of Messrs.
Barry & Dodwell is one of the olde: foreign firms in Chungking, acting as agents for the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company and several insurance companies.
When Reuters Correspondent passed the ruins of the upper section of the city and reached the lower section after this afternoon's raid, he found at least 15 blocks in a huge mass of flames and smoke. It is feared that hundreds are probably trapped in the inferno, with the fire rapidly spreading, fanned by a strong wind. Wounded victims were quickly removed in ambulances and trucks.—Reuter.
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