CRYSTAL SPRINGS — Bricks and mortar weren’t all that was lost amid the rubble left behind by Monday’s fire in downtown Crystal Springs, as officials worked to determine the cause of the pre-dawn blaze.

“This is history that will never be replaced,” said Todd Neal — a member of Masonic Lodge No. 452, one of four tenants left without a home when flames tore through a block buildings on South Jackson Street that dated to 1927.

The structure also housed Mr. D’s Restaurant, a frame shop and an alteration business. Other businesses burned or damaged by water were Grace Bible Mission, Economy Rexall Drugs, the old Trinity Cafe, FasTax and two apartments upstairs from the cafe. No injuries were reported.

“Everybody’s connected to these buildings down here,” said Daniel Curtis, of Gallman, who owns a storage building across the street that escaped major damage. “The major tragedy is it won’t be built back.”

Gates Garland owns Garland’s Furniture & Antiques down the block from the burned-out buildings. He said the business operated for about 30 years from where the restaurant was located and remembers running around in the old store as a teen.

“It’s a miracle I didn’t burn down, too,” Garland said. “I was behind the building stomping out sparks coming over the roof on the wind.”

Investigators with the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office were at the scene throughout the day Monday. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, though agency officials said the flames originated on a back wall of the restaurant’s kitchen area. They commended the response of firefighters in Crystal Springs and several other agencies who responded to the blaze, which officials said began about 1 a.m. Monday.

Cost assessments of the damage were expected today as the city helps property owners come up with a plan to revitalize the most damaged parcels, Mayor Arthur Lee Evans said this morning. Classes at three local schools and a Head Start center were to resume today, Evans said.

“You hate to lose anything old because it won’t ever be put back,” said Robert Sims, the city’s public works superintendent.

Power was restored to adjacent blocks before midday Monday, Entergy spokesman Kenny Goza said.