Crossword Genius

Burn cities without original foundations (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

charities

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'original foundations' is the definition.
'charities' can be an answer for 'foundations' (charity is a kind of foundation). I am not certain of the 'original' bit.

'burn cities without' is the wordplay.
'burn' becomes 'har' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'without' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'har' put inside 'cities' is 'CHARITIES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for charities that I've seen before include "Institutions for helping the needy" , "I stir each (anag.)" , "voluntary organisations" , "Fundraisers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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