Fire expert: Tanks contributed to blaze that enveloped compound

WACO, Texas - Tanks smashing holes into the Branch Davidian complex contributed to the fire that engulfed the compound, a fire expert testified Monday in the wrongful death lawsuit against the government.

''There's no doubt the government's actions, particularly these incursions by (the tanks) not only increased the rate the fire burned, it decreased the clean air people inside had to breathe,'' said fire investigator Patrick Kennedy.

Kennedy is an expert witness for Branch Davidian survivors and family members suing the government.

While he could not say conclusively what caused the fire, Kennedy said the tank penetrations turned the walls into ''kindling'' and the openings allowed strong winds to feed the flames.

Kennedy said the fire could have been caused by leaks from liquid propane cylinders inside the building, or by a tank knocking a fuel line in the kitchen loose.

The government maintains the Branch Davidians started the fire that enveloped the wooden building on April 19, 1993. Sect leader David Koresh and 80 of his followers died that day, some in the fire, others from gunshots.

Earlier, survivor Graeme Craddock said in a videotaped deposition that he saw another Branch Davidian pouring fuel in the chapel area before the fire started.

Craddock said he never poured any fuel or lit any fires on the final day of the siege, nor did he see anyone actually light a fire or know of any plans to burn down the complex.

Jurors also heard testimony from Marjorie Thomas, who suffered third degree burns on half of her body.

Describing the scene when the fire broke out, she said,''I could hear rushing, screaming, crying, people praying.''

Thomas jumped from a window and was one of nine sect members who survived the last day of the 51-day standoff.

Thomas said the sect members never planned to either start a fire or commit suicide.

But during cross examination, U.S. Attorney Michael Bradford pointed out that in a 1993 deposition, Thomas said Koresh had talked more than once about suicide plans.

Plaintiffs' attorneys also presented a March 1993 memo warning that if the FBI attacked the compound to end the standoff, Koresh and his followers ''would fight back to the death.''

The memo has been described by a plaintiffs' lawyer as the ''best piece of evidence from the government, period.''

The memo from FBI criminal profilers Peter Smerick and Mark Young to on-scene commander Jeffery Jamar warned Jamar that if the FBI agents ''physically attack'' and children are killed, FBI agents ''will be placed in a difficult situation,'' even if Davidians are to blame.

Jamar ordered the use of tanks to fire tear gas into the compound.

Plaintiffs are seeking $675 million in damages. They contend government agents fired indiscriminately during the raid; violated a plan approved by Attorney General Janet Reno when they punched holes in the building to spray tear gas; contributed to or caused at least some of the three fires that engulfed the compound; and failed to have firefighting equipment at the scene.