helen pierce parents found a tiny two room house and moved their children into it. when other families wanted to move into them they couldn't refuse. >> there were 14 of us living in that. so we had quite a gang. and then it was up to my father to provide the food. >> a caravan of u.s. troops arrived with food and medicine and other supplies. the army also took the job of enforcing a new law against open fires. with gas pipes leaking throughout the city, any small blaze might cause an explosion. helen remembers her mother lit a candle as a soldier walked by the house. >> he said turn out that light. but i have to have it to get things out of the bureau drawers. put out that light or i will shoot. he had two guns one in each hand. and out went the light. >> reporter: over the course of a week, major fires burns themselves out. but the neighborhood smoldered for weeks longer. 25,000 buildings were reduced to hoax that had to be pulled down and hauled away. there were survivors. the flood building has stood through the quake though gutted by fire it was too proud a bui