European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Vol. 50, no. 192 tuesday october 22,1991 authorized unofficial publication for the . Armed forces 3sc d 8693hostage release denied confusion surrounds american captive from wire reports Beirut Lebanon a confusion surrounded the reported release monday of american hostage Jesse Turner with some sources confirming he had been freed after nearly five years in Captivity in Lebanon and other sources denying the release. One senior syrian official late monday night denied earlier reports that an american hostage had been released in Beirut by his shiite Muslim kidnappers. A i assure you that you can go Home to sleep tonight. Come Back for Tea tomorrow a Nasser Kaddour minister of state for foreign affairs told reporters outside the foreign ministry in Damascus the syrian capital. The Beirut Bureau of Iran a islamic Republic news Agency had earlier reported that american professor Jesse Turner had been released after nearly five years in Captivity. Turner 44, of Boise Idaho was abducted Jan. 24, 1987, by shiite kidnappers posing As police. They took him and three other men at gunpoint from Beirut University College where he taught mathematics. There was no immediate communique from Turners kidnappers the islamic jihad for the liberation of Palestine confirming his release As is customary when a hostage is released. In most previous instances the hostages were picked up by syrian Security forces and driven to Damascus were they were turned Over to the . Ambassador before being sent  and . Officials said they had not heard from the kidnappers although there were conflicting reports among both syrian Ana . Sources. The White House said it would have to assume that no american hostage had been released until it received further information. Traditionally freed american hostages first Are taken to Damascus. But there they Are handed Over to the . Ambassador and flown to Rhein main a Germany and then transferred to the air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden Germany for a Complete medical checkup. This Hospital trip is a Choice left to the freed person but it has always been accepted. The United states on monday dispatched a medical team to Wiesbaden. Medical units arc not usually sent there unless . Officials believe a hostage release i Jesse Turner kidnapped Jan. 24,1987 age 44, married with one daughter. Grew up in Boise Idaho. I kidnapped from Beirut University College i was a visiting professor of mathematics and computer science. Almost certain. State department spokesman Richard Boucher said the syrians have kept . Officials informed on the status of the hostages. He added a we stand ready to assist any american hostage who May be freed and we arc sending a hostage reception team to  Turners Mother Estelle Ronneburg said the .see hostage on Page 210 die before firestorm controlled Oakland Calif. A firefighters announced monday that they had contained a ferocious firestorm that swept through the dry Hills above Oakland and Berkeley and destroy 380 Homes. At least 10 people were re sorted kilted and damage was put at $1.5 illion. Oakland fire chief Phillip Ewell who made the announcement at a news conference said officials expected the 1,700-acre Blaze which began sunday morning to be controlled by evening. A Parade of fire engines cruised through the eerie blackened area overlooking san Francisco Bay extinguishing hot spots As isolated flames continued to poke into the sky. A what showed up last night As burning hot spots in the Black of night this morning were clearly the charred ruins of Hun see related stories on Page 3 dress of Homes a said gov. Pete Wilson at the news conference after flying Over the area. A a there a been terrible  Wilson declared a state of emergency and alerted the National guard to be ready if needed. On sunday Ash covered residents grabbed pets photographs and other keepsakes before fire chased them from their Homes. Some people drove to safety through streets filled with flaming debris and lined with burning Trees and Homes. A i did no to take my Check Book nothing. There was nobody to help me think a said 77-year-old Piccola White who fled with her great grandson. Among the victims were a family of five who died trying to escape their Burn see firestorm on Page 2 a resident of Oakland Hills searches through the rubble of his Home monday alter a firestorm swept the  take 2-0 Lead a see sports