[Argentina-Concert]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]
[ENG#=1]


A fire at a nightclub in Argentina has killed at least 174 people and injured more than 400 others.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buenos Aires, Argentina;]


Witnesses say the fire broke out when someone flew a flare that ignited the ceiling.
They say panic set in-- as people jumped and pushed their way out of the building.
Many people fell, or were pushed down by the crowd.
There are reports that as many as six- thousand may have been inside the club at the time.
(------------)



[VOB-Quake]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tsunami]
[ENG#=2]


120- thousand and counting, that's the new death toll in South Asia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Colombo, Sri Lanka;]


As workers race to bury the dead, relief agenices are struggling to keep the survivor alive.
The first U-S cargo planes touched down in South Asia, bringing water and medicine for survivors.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This shipment]

((ANDY GNODLE/U.S. DEFENSE ATTACHE:THIS SHIPMENT RIGHT NOW WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE SRI LANKAN MILITARY RIGHT NOW, SO WHEREVER THEY FEEL IT'S NEEDED THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PUT IT. ))
[SUPER=01-Andy Gnodle/U. S. Defense Attache;]
[RUNS=:09] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=they're going to put it.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


Officials estimate five million people are in desperate need of food, water, and medical attention.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As the need]

((COLIN POWELL/SECRETARY OF STATE:AS THE NEED BECOMES CLEARER, YOU CAN EXPECT THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE MORE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD. ))
[SUPER=01-Colin Powell/Secretary of State;]
[RUNS=:10] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=weeks and months ahead.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Powell will make his way to the region this weekend, leading a group of disaster experts who will asses the need for additional U-S aid.
(------------)



[11Quake-Aid]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-47 TC57:00]
[GRAPHIC=]



[ENG#=3]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]


A Bedford County group says it can get help to South Asia immediately.
Forest-based WorldHelp has assisted needy people around the globe for more than a decade.
Because it already has teams in place in some of the devastated villages in India, any donations WorldHelp takes in are immediately wired to their workers overseas.
The money is helping to buy food, blankets, clothing and tents for families so they can survive until more relief can be sent to the region.
(------------)



[11Child-Neglect]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-51 TC35:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

An employee of the Roanoke County Social Services Department is on administrative leave after being charged with reckless endangerment of a child. The social services aide reportedly left a ten-month old alone in a car for about five hours Wednesday. She was apparently distracted when she learned of a medical emergency involving a close family member.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Salem Police were called to a parking lot near the City Courthouse, and helped free the child from the locked car. The infant was on his way back to daycare after a visit with his mother- when the aide returned the car to the courthouse instead. The boy's father says he is thankful the child is okay, but remains concerned about the incident.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:39]
[IN Q=I feel like they took him]

((HARRY BOWES/FATHER: I FEEL LIKE THEY TOOK HIM OUT OF THE HOME FOR HIS PROTECTION, AND THEY PUT HIM IN HARM'S WAY THEIR SELF. AND I FEEL HE SHOULD BE WITH ME.))
[SUPER=01-Harry Bowes/Father;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=I feel he should be with me.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Thirty- three year- old Amy Ellen Stone has worked for the department for nine and a half years, and is described as a good employee. Social Services Director Betty McCrary says the department is concerned about the incident and regrets that it happened.
Meanwhile, a juvenile court judge has asked Roanoke City Social Services to investigate.

[11Missing-Women]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-54 TC20:19]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]


Authorities are back to square one in the search for a missing North Carolina woman and her granddaughter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Gail Haddock Dail and her 15 year old granddaughter were last heard from December Sixth, as they traveled to visit family in Salem.
[SUPER=03-Lenoir Co., NC/File Tape]


That's when Dail made a frantic cell-phone call to her ex-husband saying they were drowning.
Since then, searchers have covered hundreds of miles of roads and searched from the air along the presumed route to Salem.
They've been frustrated by the lack of leads and thought there was a break yesterday when a cadaver dog alerted authorities to a pond in Lenoir County, North Carolina.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]


A sonar scan found two objects underwater, but dive teams were not able to locate the women in the pond and the search was called off. Authorities in Kinston, North Carolina say they'll turn out search teams again if they get any new clues.

[PKGSalem-Sign]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-50 TC 43:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[END=#2]


When you have a beef with city hall, you'll often write or pick up the phone.
This summer, a Salem businessman took it a step further and ended up ruffling a few feathers.
As Justin McLeod discovered he's back and has a new target for his road rage.
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=04-July; :31]
[SUPER=01-Chip Givens/Given's Books; :42]
[SUPER=01-Chuck Lionberger/Virginia Department of Transportation; 1:16 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]



(((///// SOT /////)

((NAT SOUND OF CONSTRUCTION AT 22:30:01))
Nine months ago, V-Dot started a multi million dollar improvement project here at the intersection of East Main Street and Route 419. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF CONSTRUCTION))
The work is driving some crazy.
[SOT 22:11:58]
[IN Q=I would love]

((CHIP GIVENS/BOOKSTORE OWNER: THIS IS TAKING WAY TOO LONG, WAY TOO LONG.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=WAY TOO LONG]


Chip Givens should know.
His bookstore is located in the construction zone and he says the project is keeping customers away.
[SOT 22:40:56]
[IN Q=They complain]

((CHIP GIVENS/BOOKSTORE OWNER: THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PARKING, HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE PARKING LOT NOW.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=PARKING LOT NOW]


So this summer, Givens put up a sign encouraging people to call and complain to the mayor's office.
A city official removed the sign claiming it was illegal but after the ACLU threatened legal action, the city relented.
[SOT 22:16:13]
[IN Q=I don't believe]

((CHIP GIVENS/BOOKSTORE OWNER: I DON'T BELIEVE IN ALLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO WALK OVER ME AND I DON'T PRESUME ANYBODY LIKES TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF LIKE THAT.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=OF LIKE THAT]


But now he has a new target. His sign directs people to call V-Dot's Commissioner in Richmond.
[SOT 22:14:19]
[IN Q=I don't know]

((CHIP GIVENS/BOOKSTORE OWNER: I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF RESPONSE BECAUSE LIKE I SAID THEY ARE STATE OFFICIALS AND NOT ELECTED OFFICIALS SO THERE JOBS IS NOT ON THE LINE.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=ON THE LINE]


V-Dot says it welcomes the criticism but points out the project is on time and should be completed by June. ((DRIVING SHOT APPROACHING THE BRIDGE))
[SOT 9:19:36]
[IN Q=It takes a long]

((CHUCK LIONBERGER/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BUILD A ROAD, IT JUST DOES.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=IT JUST DOES]


And as for the sign.
[SOT 9:22:00]
[IN Q=what he chooses]

((CHUCK LIONBERGER/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: WHAT HE CHOOSES TO DO IS HOW HE CHOOSES TO DO IT, THAT'S REALLY UP TO HIM.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=REALLY UP TO HIM]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=V-Dot says]

((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: V-DOT SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED PHONE CALLS BECAUSE OF THE SIGN BUT IT HASN'T ALL BEEN NEGATIVE.
SOME HAVE ACTUALLY THANKS THE STATE FOR WORKING TO IMPROVE THE ROAD. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))


[NY-Preps]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=New Years]
[ENG#=3]


The countdown is on in Times Square for the dawning of 2005--but there will be at least one big change.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]


Regis Philbin is standing in this year for Dick Clark, who's in the hospital recovering from a stroke.
Secretary of State Colin Powell will help ring in the new year by pushing the button that will start the crystal ball drop.
Workers have been busy piecing together the one- thousand crystals that make up the glittering ball.
The theme this year in Times Square-- "Hope for wisdom."
(------------)


[1Sugar-Bowl]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-42 TC 1:35:30]
[GRAPHIC=Sugar Bowl 6480]
[ENG#=4]


New Years Eve in New Orleans.
So far Tech's Sugar Bowl trip has been without controversy.
But Mike Stevens says there's still been plenty to talk about.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=219-Mike Stevens/mstevens*wdbj7.com; :00]
[SUPER=201-Frank Beamer/12th Straight Bowl Game; :32]
[SUPER=203-New Orleans, LA; 54]
[SUPER=203-Blacksburg/2003 Season; 1:27]
[RUNS=2:05]
[OUT Q=NEws 7 Sports.]



[Marketwatch]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]


In business news, new Celebrex prescriptions have dropped in the last two weeks.
Marcella Palmer has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Marcella Palmer/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=in New York.]

((NEW DATA SHOWS A 56% DROP IN THE NUMBER OF NEW CELEBREX PRESCRIPTIONS AND A 44% DROP IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS... THIS AFTER THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ISSUED AN ADVISORY WARNING THE PFIZER DRUG MIGHT BE UNSAFE FOR SOME PATIENTS.
AS UNITED AIRLINES CONTINUES TO OPERATE UNDER FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION... PILOTS' PENSIONS ARE PULLED TO SAFETY. UNITED AIRLINES' PILOTS GET SOME HELP FROM THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S PENSION AGENCY. PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY SAYS IT WILL PICK UP ABOUT $1.4 BILLION DOLLARS OF THE $2.9 BILLION IN UNDER FUNDED ASSETS.
THE BLUE CHIPS SLIPPED INTO THE RED THURSDAY AMID DEEP LOSSES IN ALCOA. THE DOW CLOSED THE DAY DOWN 28...THE NASDAQ CLOSED THE DAY UP 1....
CRUDE-OIL CLOSED ITS FINAL DAY OF TRADING FOR 2004 AT $43.45 A BARREL,DOWN 19 CENTS FROM WEDNESDAY BUT UP 33.7% ON THE YEAR.
ITS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE THE U-S STOPPED CATTLE IMPORTS FROM CANADA AFTER A CASE OF MAD COW DISEASE... NOW, THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WILL REOPEN THAT DOOR IN EARLY MARCH, WHICH COULD LOWER THE PRICE OF BEEF AND RAISE THE PRICE OF RESTAURANT STOCKS.
FOR MORE ON THE MARKETS LOG ON TO OUR SITE AT CBS DOT MARKETWATCH DOT COM. IN NEW YORK, I'M MARCELLA PALMER.))


(tape tosses to stocks)

[STOCKS] [COMM]


[11Meth-Clinic]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-41 TC1:45:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The company that plans to open a methadone clinic in Roanoke has cleared yet another hurdle.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Officials informed city council that the clinic has received all approvals and certifications required by the Commissioner of Revenue. A business license was issued on Monday. The clinic is reportedly close to opening, though CRC Health Corporation has not revealed a specific date.
(--------------)



[11Free-Clinic]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-46 TC 56:52]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

A Christiansburg medical clinic will not re-open for at least another six weeks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

Last week a pipe burst on the coldest day of the year at the NRV Free Clinic, flooding the building with 8 inches of water. Damage is estimated at 100-thousand dollars. Crews are still trying to dry out the building before they can start repairs.
(XXXXX)

[WIPE TO CLINIC FS] Patients can call the clinic at 540-381-0820 to find out more information. You can leave a message and someone will get back to you.
(------------)



[11Holiday-Blood]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jbu]
[TAPE#=04-49 TC42:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


The Red Cross hopes more people will resolve to give blood in the New Year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape]

Because of Christmas and New Year's travel, the Red Cross is seeing a decline in their blood and platelet supplies and is asking for help.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:06:06]
[IN Q=We encourage you to take]

((BOB LUTJEN:WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY, IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR, AND YOU CAN STILL BRING IN THE NEW YEAR DURING THE MIDNIGHT HOUR AND A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Lutjen/American Red Cross]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=great way to celebrate.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lutjen says platelet donations are especially needed during the holidays because they only have a five day shelf life.
Drives are being held on New Years Eve and donors of all blood types are encouraged to come out.
(XXXXXXXX)

[WIPE TO RED CROSS FS]
For more information you can call 1-800- GIVE- LIFE.
(-------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)

[BUMP] [COMM]

[2Sugar-Bowl]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-42 TC 1:37:50]
[GRAPHIC=Suhar Bowl]
[ENG#=3]


Tech fans continue to head south, where tonight many will ring in the new year and then cheer the Hokies on against Auburn Monday.
Mike Stevens has more from outside the SuperDome.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=219-Mike Stevens/mstevens*wdbj7.com; :00]
[SUPER=203-New Orleans, LA; :22]
[SUPER=201-Jesse Penn/Former Virginia Tech Linebacker; :40]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports]



[Biz-Brief]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

Welcome back to News 7 Mornin'.
In business news, stocks closed lower yesterday. And new presriptions for Celebrex fell 56 percent last week. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]


((U-S BLUE CHIP STOCKS CLOSED SLIGHTLY LOWER IN LIGHT TRADE THURSDAY.


THE DOW INDUSTRIALS FELL NEARLY 29-POINTS.
WHILE THE NASDAQ GAINED ONE.


PFIZER IS FEELING THE PAIN SINCE A RECENT STUDY FOUND ITS DRUG CELEBREX INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART ATTACK AND STROKE.
A MARKET RESEARCH COMPANY SAYS NEW PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE DRUG FELL 56-PERCENT LAST WEEK, THE WEEK AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE STUDY FINDINGS.
PFIZER'S STOCK LOST NEARLY ONE PERCENT.


SHARES OF SEVERAL MAJOR STEEL COMPANIES FELL ON CONCERN OVER STEEL DEMAND IN CHINA.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THE GROWTH IN STEEL DEMAND THERE SLOWED TO ABOUT FIVE PERCENT A MONTH RECENTLY.
THAT'S COMPARED WITH AVERAGE INCREASES OF 26-PERCENT A MONTH IN 2002, 2003 AND EARLY THIS YEAR.
AS A RESULT, CHINA HAS BECOME A NET EXPORTER OF STEEL.


AND FIRST TIME CLAIMS FOR JOBLESS BENEFITS FELL BY FIVE-THOUSAND LAST WEEK.
THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS THAT CLAIMS FELL TO 326-THOUSAND FROM THE WEEK BEFORE.
WALL STREET EXPECTED TO SEE A SMALL RISE IN CLAIMS.


WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M STAN CASE.))

[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [COMM]


[11Bryant]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-40 TC2:00:30]
[GRAPHIC=Preston Bryant]
[ENG#=2]


One local lawmaker is now feeling the political fallout from last spring's budget compromise-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Lynchburg delegate Preston Bryant was told this week he will lose a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee in the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
Bryant was one of 17 Republicans who broke ranks and helped craft a tax reform deal with Governor Mark Warner.
It's a decision he says he does "not" regret.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:22:29]
[IN Q=Based on the]

((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: BASED ON THE CALLS AND SUPPORT THAT I'VE GOTTEN JUST IN THE LAST DAY OR TWO ON THIS ISSUE, I'VE REALLY BEEN BOLSTERED IF NOT A BIT EMBOLDENED. AND I'VE ALSO LEARNED JUST HOW MANY FRIENDS I HAVE STATEWIDE. THE CALLS AND E-MAILS HAVE BEEN NON-STOP AND EXTREMELY POSITIVE.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Preston Bryant/(R) Lynchburg]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=and extremely positive.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Bryant says the area will still be well-represented on the committee by delegates Lacey Putney and Watkins Abbitt.

(------------)



[11ASL-Suit]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-44 TC1:26:06]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]
[ENG#=3]

The wrongful death suit against the Appalachian School of Law is settled.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A judge approved a one-million dollar deal between the school and families of students gunned down by a fellow student three years ago.
[SUPER=03-Grundy/January 16, 2002]

Thirty-three year old Angela Dales died in the melee, one of six people shot by Peter Odighizuwa. As part of the negotiated settlement signed yesterday, Dales' 10-year old daughter gets 342-thousand dollars. The family's attorney believes Dales might have survived, if the Law School had provided tighter security and medical response.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:00:35 ]
[IN Q=There's a good]

((EMMITT YEARY/PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEY: THERE'S A GOOD LIKELIHOOD OF WHEN YOU LIE BLEEDING TO DEATH FOR 45 MINUTES, COMMON SENSE WOULD TELL YOU, HER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH GREATER. LU ELLSWORTH/APPALACHIAN LAW SCHOOL PRESIDENT: I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS ANY BASIS TO PREDICT THAT THERE IS THIS KIND OF OCCURRENCE, OR ANY VIOLENT OCCURRENCE WOULD OCCUR ON CAMPUS.))
[SUPER=01-Emmitt Yeary/Plaintiffs' Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lu Ellsworth/Appalachian Law School President; :09]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=occur on campus.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Three survivors of the shooting will each collect 219-thousand dollars under the settlement.
(------------)



[Now-Showing]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]


A musical ending to the year in movies. 50's and 60's pop singer Bobby Darin comes back to like in the Kevin Spacey film "Beyond the Sea". Anna Hovind takes a look in this week's Now Showing.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-"Beyond the Sea" - Lions Gate Films;]
[SUPER=01-Anna Hovind/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=I'm Anna Hovind.]

((Ladies and gentleman, the one and only Bobby Darin
IN BEYOND THE SEA, KEVIN SPACEY IS BOBBY DARIN.
I want Vegas, TV, i want it all
A PERFORMER WHO HAD EVERYTHING GOING FOR HIM IN THE 1960'S.
Mac the knifenot her sister
IT'S LOVE AT FIRST SITE WHEN HE MEETS SANDRA DEE.
God your beautifulwhat do you want
SPACEY DIRECTED AND DID HIS OWN SINGING FOR THE FILM.
song
BEYOND THE SEA IS RATED PG-13.
WITH THE NOW SHOWING, I'M ANNA HOVIND.))

[Tape tosses to bump] [BUMP] [WINNER ANNOUNCE]



[3-Argentina-Concert]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]
[ENG#=1]


A fire at a nightclub in Argentina has killed at least 174 people and injured more than 400 others.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buenos Aires, Argentina;]


Witnesses say the fire broke out when someone flew a flare that ignited the ceiling.
They say panic set in-- as people jumped and pushed their way out of the building.
Many people fell, or were pushed down by the crowd.
There are reports that as many as six- thousand may have been inside the club at the time. (------------)
by SS