University Daily Kansan, November 12, 1981
Page 9
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Group examines arson cases
By EILEEN MARKEY Staff Reporter
The store shop owner was in despair. His wife was filling for a divorce, inflation was eating up his profits, his bank was cutting off much of his incoming stock.
At 5:57 p.m. he left his store. At 6:09 p.m. it was ablaze.
According to Gerald M. Gosnell, president of the National Fire Associates, arson has been a problem since 11th century England. But Gosnell's job is to analyze the history of arson. It is to determine whether arson is the cause of a fire to save money for his clients.
Gosnell is a former FBI agent who founded the National Fire Associates in 1970. Centered in Kansas City, Mo., the organization investigates fires for insurance companies on a nationwide basis.
"I'd say 95 percent of our cases are solved," Gosnell said at an SUA community forum last night in the Kansas Union.
"Pinpointing the arsonist is the easy part; prosecuting them is much more difficult."
FRIDAY MORNING Lawrence firefighters extinguished a blaze in Naismith Hall. Fire officials said the blaze was the work of arsonists who stacked fire in an elevator and set it on fire. No one has been charged in the case.
Gosnell employs 28 investigators, who work to investigate fraudulent fire nationwide. Twenty-six of the employees are former or retired FBI investigators. None of them had experience with fire before they were hired. Gosnell said.
"I try to pick the very best," he said.
"We bring them back to Kansas City for a year or more of training and then they work on their own, but usually consult me over the phone in almost all the cases."
Gosnell said he trained his men to detect arson by a variety of indicators present in the aftermath of a fire—even if the building is reduced to rubble.
"Two or more unconnected sources of fire; low level lateral burning; a rolling, shining charing, known as alligator char, are all indicators of fire."
The shoe store was used as an example of arson.
Gosnell pointed to the alligator chair and explained that it was caused by flammable liquids. He also showed four claws in the back of the shoe store.
One fire source left a white film on and around the brick walls of the building.
"Prolonged and intense heat on the brick causes the white on those bricks," he said. "The alligator char on the steps. The owner trailed liquid up the steps and it seeped through, causing those tongue-in-groove holes."
GOSNELL POINTED to the wood steps and emphasized the shining
alligator chars. He said the burning had spread in a downward fashion.
"Downward burning is an automatic indicator of arson and the use of a flammable liquid," he said.
Gosnell said Arkansas was the state that tallied the most arsons.
"I don't know why, but it is the worst region for raspons." he said.
His slides confirmed the statement. Three of the four slide series he used were of houses in Arkansas. All of the houses had owners who were in serious condition.
"I'd say financial insecurity, spite, and revenge were the leading causes of arson," Gosnell said. "Of all arsonists, he was the most responsible to catch because he is the most irritated."
Each investigator for the National Fire Associates helps save an average of a million dollars a year for insurance companies by uncovering arson, he
Gosnell said the one million dollar figure was tabulated in 1978, but he had not made a tally since then.
"Our whole purpose is to save money for our clients," he said.
GOSNELL'S CLIENTS include large insurance companies such as Aetna and Hartford.
"There have been a number of cases in which we couldn't help our client in court even though we knew it was arson." he said.
Gosnell would not explain the easiest method to set a fire without it being detected as arson.
By LILLIAN DAVIS Staff Reporter
Residents question Naismith's safetv
Feelings are mixed
After living through a pipe bomb explosion in September and an arson fire, Friday, no Naimshim Hall was evacuated. Few mixed feelings about the hall's safety.
Paul Gorelick, Overland Park school,
said he had lived at NaiSMith for three
and one-half years, but he was considering leaving.
"I's a nice place to live, but if anything like the fire happens again tomorrow, I'll pack my bags tomorrow." Mr. Reckel said. "I hope that doesn't happen."
"It happens every year—people get the trivial of the grands. Gorelick said, "But this year, they have a pretty good reason."
He said the fire and September's pipe bomb explosion were giving some residents the excuse they have been looking for to leave Naismith.
However, having to bear the temporary hardships of no electricity, heat or water pressure is bringing people closer, he said.
The fire destroyed parts of the electrical system and each floor is
"We're starting to make light of it," Gorelick said.
Kim Courtney, Wichita graduate student, said the fire scared her. She thought the people living at Nassau Hill were too young to account for the increase in pranks.
"People call it 'the zoo,'" Courtney said.
Robert Brown, Naismith resident director, said that other the fire and the bomb explosion, vandalism was greatly reduced at Naismith this year.
taking its turn doing without power,
while junior college mounted wires.
"I think that's because people are more serious about school, and it's a greater financial sacrifice," Brown said.
Melinda Rodgers, Denver, Colo.
senior, said she felt perfectly safe at
her job.
"I feel fine here," she said. "It's too bad they set off the bomb, and I don't agree with it at all, but I think the fire and bomb were just a coincidence."
"There are always going to be people that obviously aren't up to society's standards."
Rodgers said residents should feel grateful to the staff that they are safe and trustful.
Overloaded?
Along those lines, residents were asked whether they thought security at Naismith should be increased.
can't screen people to see if they are pyros, but I guess that would be against the law."
Director Brown said the lax security it Naismith was part of the freedom residents wanted.
“It’s a hard question,” he said. “If we increase security, we lose the respect of those who chose Naismith for its freedom, but we also have some who would appreciate the added protection.”
Brown said that added security was being taken under consideration and that he would soon meet with police to discuss security measures.
Ellen Reynolds, oakleaf freshman, said she thought increased security would make a difference. However, like Brown and the residents interviewed, she would take away one of the advantages Hannah had over other residence halls.
"The people here are basically the same as in the other dorms," Reynolds said. "They're not a bunch of violent kids." They are a few people out of a whole group.
Let SES Help!
We provide tutoring, counseling,
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Nov. 13 is the deadline for
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For more information contact:
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Military Science Annex
864-3971
15th ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
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November 6-7.12-14.1981 8pm November 8.1981 2:30 pm University Theatre Murphy Hall
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Presented by the University of Kansas Theatre and the School of Fine Arts Tickets on sale (in the Murphy Hall Box Office). For reservations call 484-3928
NOV 5-1 & NOV 12-14
8:00 pm
Enter a Free Man
Box Office No. 594-64
extension 555
$1.00 students
$3.00 adults
at the Darby-Hope Theater in Baker in Baldwin, Kansas
Written by Tom Stoppard The Baker University Theater Production.
(1962)
Friday, Nov. 13 The Dogs of War
Thursday, Nov. 12 Before the Revolution
SVA FILMS
The second film by Bermardo Bertolouci (Last Tango in Paris, 1900) is a loose adaptation of Stendahl's The Charterhouse of Parma as a young film introspective piece, but it usually withers visibly with the young saint: "Before the Revolution does not widen the screen; it makes you widen your eyes."—Pulcare Kael. (101 min.) B&W, italiano/subtitles.
Christopher Waker serves as the leader of a group of mercenaries sent to overthrow an adm.纵目 regime in this lactic episode of *The Walking Dead*. Forbes's book, directed by John Inker (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Saga). A continua on how the supernatural is so a superb, intelligent action thief. With Colin Bakerse, Tom Berenger. Plus: ALEXANDRA FREEMAN (1907); Color: 3.30; 9.30.
Shampoo
Warren Beaty stars as a hairdresser tangled up in affairs with a number of women. Including Julie Christie and Carly Browne, she appeared in 1988 in Hail Ashby's satirical comedy. With Jack Wearn, Lee Grant. Plus, Danielle Dome Dolce (1980)18:14 color. Zack Laney
(1973)
Rock City
The Rolling Stones, Jim Hendrick, Pink Floyd, Dream, Rod Stewart and the Faces, Joe Cocker, Oz Reddish, Cream, Jeffrey Lewis, Kurt Cobain, Tina Turner, Blind Faith, Denovan, Cat Stevens and Arthur Brown in this classic British rockumentary—unknown to many. Watch the live concert in a-lifetime cast, in peerless footage. (112 min) Color: 12:00 midnight.
Unless otherwise noted, all films will be shown at Woodford Auditorium in the building 1002. There are $2.00, all other films are $1.50. Tickets are available at the SUA office, Kansas Union, 4th Level, Kansas Union. Information must be smoked or refreshment allowed.
Rent it. Call us. 864-4358