From: thomasr@cpqhou.se.hou.compaq.com (G. Thomas Rush)
Subject: Re: Waco fire
Organization: Compaq Computer Corp
Lines: 40

In article <1993Apr23.181301.8500@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> rcanders@nyx.cs.du.edu (Mr. Nice Guy) writes:
>Flash over is a frequent occurrence with indoor fires.  A fire will
>start small and in one location and heat the air.  The temperature in
>the room builds up and then everything inflammable in the room catches
>fire at once.
> 
>This may have occurred in the BD compound, I have heard reports that
>the windows were covered which would permit a fire to start unnoticed
>by those outside the compound.  When the fire got big enough, and
>broke through the walls, it appeared to be started in two places but
>was really one big fire.

The Houston Chronicle last Thursday (maybe Wednesday) said that
the interior of walls had been covered with hay bales to help
protect against bullets.  Many of you know how fast dry hay
burns.

>Because of the large quantities of tear gas inserted into the building
>it is possible that many of the women and children were in a room free
>of tear gas they would try to seal the door to keep out the tear gas.
>When they learned that a fire had broken out it was too late for them
>to escape.  They were trapped by the flames in their safe room.

In addition, the gas is specifically designed to force eyes
closed and the victim to vomit.  How fast could you leave your
burning office or home if your eyes were closed and you were
retching violently?

>I find it hard to believe that the FBI was not recording the final
>assault.  I think that they would have wanted to have tapes to show
>their agents of the the FBI overcoming the "forces of evil", aka
>the Branch Davidians.  The tapes would also allow the FBI to prove
>that they were not using excessive force.


-- 

thomas rush			compaq computer corporation	
thomasr@cpqhou.compaq.com	their employee, not their opinions.
Candidate for MISD (Magnolia, Texas) School Board Seat 5, May 1, 1993
