European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 04, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes wednesday september 4, 1985 spectacular fire hits new Jersey town Passaic. N j. A a spectacular Blaze which one fire official said could be the worst in inc City s history destroyed the Industrial Center of Passaic and wiped out the jobs of up to 3,000 people. The fire was reported under control shortly before 1 a n. Tuesday about Xvi hours after i was began but tests by the stale department of environmental Protection and the Federal environmental Protection Agency showed thai smoke still billow ing from gutted warehouses contained toxic substances. The Blae which erupted in a storage shed in tic Middle of a massive Complex of six Story buildings housing mostly textile businesses killed a 65-year-old Volunteer firefighter who died of a heart attack injured at least 12 people destroyed the Homes of at least 150 and forced the evacuation of others who lived near the scene. The fire swept through a four Story Ware House containing 16,000 Gallons of diesel fuel and kerosene then raced through the four Block warehouse Complex and touched off fires in a working class neighbourhood North of the scene. At Casl 15 apartments and Homes Many of them wooden structures were destroyed and firefighters had to Dodge collapsing Walls and Glass and other debris that shot from the burning buildings. This very Well could be the worst fire in the City s history said fire chief Kenneth  be lost the Industrial Complex of the City City councilman Louis Gill said adding that the buildings housed up to 100 Light Industry businesses and employ cd be tween 2,000 and 3,000 people. Firefighters were hampered by brisk breezes Low water pressure and hydrants that had been turned off because of Vandal ism but by late afternoon pressure was restored and pumpers from numerous fire companies joined in the Effort. Plumes of thick Black smoke from the structures along the Passaic River could be seen 20 Miles away and booming explosions and Short pops rocked the air As Vau of chemicals inside the Complex caught fire. Teams of officials from the Dep and the Epa which monitored air samples Down wind of the fire had declared the air void of toxic substances but later official began evacuating the nearby town of Wellington after it was determined that hazardous fumes were being emitted by burning chemicals used in developing film. 1,500 cheers president Reagan holds up a gel Well poster containing 1,600 signatures Given o him at Point Mug naval a3, calif., on monday.  person who signed the car donated $1 o he american cancer society. $70,000 Reward sets neighbors battling Over who caught suspect los Angeles a residents of the neighbourhood where a mob captured the prime suspect in the 16 night stalker slayings Are at Odds Over who nabbed the Man and who deserves the $70,000 Reward offered in the killings. As Many As six neighbourhood residents claim credit for the capt ire of Richard Ramirez 25, who was arrested saturday after being chased and beaten. He was booked for investigation of murder. Manuel de la Torre 36, said he and neighbor Jose Bur Goin 55, were the Only ones who caught Ramirez. The Cap Ture came after Ramirez allegedly tried to steal a car from de la Torre s wife Angie 29. She began to scream attracting the crowd that ran Ramirez Down. Everybody else came to help when we already had him do la Torre said. If the Reward Money were divided among six people do la Torre said i will not gel upset but i think the Man Bur Goin and i Are the Only ones entitled to  Burgoin agreed that he and do la Torre were responsible for Ramirez s capture but he said his sons Jaime 21, and Julio 17, also participated. But i think it is premature to count the Money because it has t been offered to us Burgoin said. The Reward Money was offered by state county and City governments and private donors for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the slayings and More than 20 assaults in California since february. Do la Torre and Burgoin said the Reward would not create discord in the neighbourhood but others disagreed. Jose Perez 30, de la Torre s neighbor said just three people caught Ramirez Perez his Cousin Oligario Garcia anode la Torre. Burgoin was not even around when we started chasing him. He and his sons showed up when we already had him. Why should they get any Money Perez said. Perez s aunt Evangelina Gomez 56, said the dispute could Lead to neighbourhood friction. This is going to stir bad feel Ings in the neighbourhood. De la Torre wants to keep All the Money for himself and maybe give some to Burgoin Gomez it May be months before authorities decide who deserve the Money. Stateside Bolt of lightning strikes Man in front of Public Library Charleston . A a 19-year-old Manas seriously injured when he was struck by lightning while sitting in front of a Public Library authorities said. Michael Quinn was in stable condition at Charleston memorial Hospital where he was taken after the Light Ning struck him in the Abdomen a nursing supervisor said. A worker at the Charleston county Library said theand a companion were almost struck while leaving the building about the same  Bolt of lightning went Between us. We screamed bloody murder said Lynne King personnel office Man Ager. The lightning struck during thunderstorms that knocked Down Trees and flooded roads throughout the metropolitan area. . Lottery Winner indicted for stealing from sister s store new City . A a Man who won is million in the state lottery three years ago has been indicted on charges of stealing from his sister and brother in Law convenience store authorities said. Stephen Francis 36, was indicted on a charge of  Ond degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing $6,260 from the store in Spring Valley said Rockland count District attorney Kenneth Gribetz. While Francis managed the store for part of 1984, he bet said. Francis won $1,001,942 in november 1982 in the Lott game and has been receiving annual payments of $44,222, which he will get for 20 years. If sentenced to jail the winnings would be held in escrow until his release Gribetz said. All 4 aboard plane killed when it crashes in rainstorm n. Utah a a Small plane that crashed in brainstorm killed All four people aboard it authorities say the twin engine plane was in route to Casper wyo., air de and crashed about 16 minutes after taking off Weber county sheriff George Fisher said. The wreckage was found in a Field Fishher  looked like it hit pretty hard he said. It stuck the propellers and engine right into the ground and the bounced some four to six feet  the victims All from Casper were identified As  Twig 54 Judith Ewing 40 John Kanaly 37 and Maxme Kanaly 29. Spill from broken sewage line forces closing of Pacific Beach los  a lifeguards kept swimmers out of the water after a sewage line ruptured spilling sewage into the Pacific Ocean at will Rogers state  officials closed the Beach after tests showed lev i. Half i e ars posted with signs and we re  oui of the  said Ralph Lee a life it a v s Sot Down h5re and the Alc Loolu inviting. We have to Chase some of them out " remain ,r d the up de line but the Beach will official said Lesu do Lormil in is Safe again health there were no reports of illness caused by the bacteria