The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania • 44

FIRST B4 THE MORNING CALL. THURSDAY. MARCH 20. 1986 odd BetMelfoeinrD Elderly tenants are evacuated room, although smoke and heat By RICH HARRY Of The Morning Call V7 1. yHk mf Officials said the occupant of the apartment where the fire started, Jesse Gheen, 63, lost an ash from a cigarette and left the apartment for dinner around 4 p.m.

Gheen was not in the high-rise when the fire broke out around 5:30 p.m., they said. The fire, after igniting the sofa and a nearby table, apparently spread quickly through the room. "When the air got to it, the fire flashed over the entire room," said Capt Joseph Burghardt of the Bethlehem Fire Department, who joined Fire Marshal William Reinhard in an investigation after the blaze was declared under control. The cause is "careless smoking," said Burghardt. He said no citations would be issued.

Tenants were evacuated to designated areas, including internal stairwells that reportedly are separate from the main structure and hold their own air supply when all doors are closed. Emergency radio transmissions indicated rescue personnel had difficulty moving some of the wheelchair-bound tenants, and one woman who weighed 400 pounds. But fire officials at the scene said there were no major problems. They credited fire drills held at the city's high-rises. "Considering this was one of the more major calls to a high-rise, I'd have to say they did a pretty good job," Burghardt said.

He said the tenants were alerted by the building's box alarm system. The fire was contained to one caused damage estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 to the entire apartment, Burghardt said. There also was some damage to the eighth, ninth and 10th floors from water seepage, he said. He added that total damage to the building was estimated at $30,000 to $35,000. Burghardt said the apartment would have to be refurbished and that Gheen would be the only Moravian House tenant needing temporary housing.

Heavy smoke' blanketed the 11th floor and some of it filtered down to the 10th. floor "at least," Burghardt said. He added that the apartment was "closed tight," which prevented more smoke from escaping. Burghardt said firefighters, equipped with air packs, used the building's "standard pipe system" to put out the fire. Firefighters were seen knocking out a window on the 11th floor and tossing parts of foam rubber to the ground.

There are no sprinklers in the building, Reinhard said. "It a sprinkler system probably would have gotten it under control faster, but we had a quick response so it was held within that room," Reinhard said. "But it might have held it down some, yes." The fire was originally believed to be on the 10th floor of the building, officials said. Finding nothing there, firefighters checked the floors immediately above and below the 10th before Lt. Joseph Donaldson A cigarette left unattended in an llth-floor apartment touched off a smoky blaze Tuesday that sent two firefighters and one other person to area hospitals, and caused what officials are calling one of the worst fires to strike a Bethlehem high-rise for the elderly.

Tenants on all 14 floors of the 151-unit Moravian House 737 Main SL, were evacuated while firefighters put out the blaze that started in a sofa and caused major damage to the apartment, officials said. Fire officials said approximately a half-dozen tenants of the high-rise were treated at the scene. Most of them had heart conditions and were treated for anxiety, the officials said. One tenant, Alice Gollinski, 74, was taken to St Luke's Hospital for chest pains. She was reported in good condition last night.

Treated and released at St. Luke's for smoke inhalation was firefighter Mike Sankovsky. Another 'firefighter, Charles Sculley, was treated for smoke inhalation and released from Muhlenberg Hospital Center. I Dark smoke drifted from an llth-floor window on, the north side of the building, while seven ambulances from four different organizations converged on the scene, just jsouth of Main Street and Union Bou- levard. Morning Call photo Harry Rsher Rescue personnel at Moravian House fire take woman to ambulance.

two buildings, built in the 1970s by the Moravian Development are joined by a section used by tenants for social functions. discovered the fire's source in Apt. 1103. Radio transmissions indicated there was some difficulty securing a master key to the unit. Firefighters were still on the scene, cleaning up water late last night.

Traffic was re-routed at Main Street and Union Boulevard during the height of the blaze. Two pumpers and two ladder trucks the standard equipment used in responding to a high-rise fire in Bethlehem were dispatched to the scene along with two rescue trucks. Responding with two city ambulances were units from Fountain Hill, Valley Transport Service and the Se-Wy-Co volunteer fire company in Lower Saucon Township. The Bethlehem Red Cross was also at the scene. Moravian House I is part of a complex that includes another high-rise, Moravian House II.

The Observers said the last major fire to strike a high-rise in Bethlehem occurred in April 1980. That blaze struck the kitchen of a 13th-floor apartment in the Fred B. Rooney Home at E. 4th and S. New streets.

A 66-year-old tenant received head and facial burns in that fire. flight center grounded by ffoire safety roles sive jet fuel and flammable solvents are stored, the SCOTT J. HIGH AM Qf The Morning Call ing to storm water management and water tie-ins. When the planners requested that incoming water lines be shown on the flight center's plans, Rockmaker said there are no water lines to the hangers. Contingent upon meeting what are now 19 provisions, several of which were met Tuesday night, the Planning Commission approved the flight center's preliminary plan.

The commissioners also forwarded a suggestion to council that both the main terminal and hanger building be equipped with sprinklers. The hanger, they said, should have a system that sprays foam. After the hearing, Rockmaker said he was "exceptionally pleased" the preliminary project had been approved. He was not, however, pleased with the sprinkler ruling. "There's a possibility," he said, that the project could be jeopardized.

In another ruling, the Planning Commission preliminarily approved a revised plan for a retail store center and a drive-in bank that which would be built at 1980 Catasauqua Rd. value on a life," Rockmaker replied. "But it's cost-prohibitive. That's the problem." "Well, if you can't afford it, you can't put your building there," Jurnock said. Jurnock and the other planning commissioners later said only those buildings used by either passengers or workers should be protected by sprinkler systems.

The "cold storage' hangers, meanwhile, could go unprotected. Bryan Coleman, township manager, said the Planning Commission is powerless to amend the public safety ordinance requiring fire protection measures. While the planners could issue recommendations, the issue now goes to the township council, which meets April 9. The fire protection issue grew out of letter the township engineer, John Griffith, sent to Andretti-Thayer officials last month. The letter requested that the company comply with 18 technical provisions.

Standing before the Planning Commission Tuesday night, Rockmaker and Philip W. Bearn, the flight center's engineer, responded to each of the 18 technical provisions, which range from parking spaces and landscap planners suggested that the flight company install costly "dry" or foam sprinkler systems. "It's going to be very difficult to go ahead with the project," Robert Rockmaker, general manager of Andretti-Thayer, told the Planning Commission. "We don't have the money in the budget for sprinkler systems." Rockmaker argued that because jets, not explosive fuel, would be stored in the series of one-story hangers, the safety ordinance should not apply. The cost of conforming with the ordinance, he said, would be more than $100,000.

"If we have to put sprinklers in each of the units, it's going to take the price right out of the ballpark," Rockmaker said. He added that he could take the commissioners "to any airport in the country" where they would fail to find sprinkler systems in any hangers. "In the main hanger building, there are going to be people working and they should be said Joseph Jurnock, chairman of the planning board. "Safety, has no dollar value." "I will never be the first person to place a dollar -t Citing inadequate fire safety measures, a proposed :Hl.5-million -flight center at A-B-E Airport was temporarily grounded Tuesday night by the Hanover Town-Ship Planning Commission, making it "difficult to go iahead with the project," a flight center official said, jfe While receiving preliminary approval contingent Ittpon a set of lengthy demands, the proposed flight center was rebuffed for failing to meet township standards Sor fire protection. Proposed by the Andretti-Thayer Aviation Services the flight center would include a terminal building, a large repair hanger and a series of smaller hang-ers where corporate jets would be stored.

The aviation company is owned by Mario Andretti, the race car driver, and William H. Thayer, a Coopersburg entrepreneur who owns Fleet Helicopter Services. Citing a 1983 public safety ordinance, the planners suggested that the flight center's buildings come equipped with sprinkler systems. Where highly explo Russian scholar calls Group focuses on intestinal woes emigration of Jews a game without rules Members pay dues and receive a monthly newsletter, emotional support and monthly presentations by professionals in medicine, psychology, nutrition and stress management. Guided by an executive board, the association has committees that work on membership, education, support, publicity, fund raising and hospitality.

Last month, the group produced a pamphlet informing Valley doctors and their patients about the organization, its purpose and how to join. others in the area in need of information and support too. With the help of nurse-therapist Carol Balcavage, he investigated a chapter of 'a national colitis support group in Reading and organized the Lehigh Valley association. Invited was anyone with colitis, ileitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or cancer of the colon any problems of the gastrointestinal tract. About 25 people showed up at the first meeting, now a monthly event sometimes attracting 100 people from as far away as Lehighton.

By DONALD BLOUNT 0f The Morning Call Jewish emigration from the Sovlf Union is "a highly politicized situation that is not based on any rules," Dr. George Ginsburgs said Tuesday night at Lehigh University. Ginsburgs, professor of foreign and comparative law at Rutgers University Law School, spoke on Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union before about 30 people in the jacocca Auditorium at Neville Hall. For example, he said, the release of Soviet dissident Anatoly Scharan-sky was "a one-shot gesture." The Soviets have opened doors to emigration only when they thought it. would help them gain something, he said.

"The situation is no longer profitable for them. They are afraid if they make too many concessions, people will consider them weak," he said. Soviet officials fear that "once the door is open" it will will never close, he added. They also fear a "brain drain," that professional people will leave the country, he said. Ginsburgs said pressure, contin- ued criticism and the promise of a Soviet profit are needed to increase emigration.

However, they all must be done "with considerable discre- tion. "You cannot pressure or embarrass the Soviet Union into doing something against its intentions," he said. "It's a matter of style and proper handling," he added. Emigration can be obtained as long as it's done on a low profile level and is profitable for the Soviets, Ginsburgs said. The proper "economic inducements" will surely convince the government to allow some people to leave the country.

If people leave the Soviet Union in the future it will be because someone has paid a price for them, Ginsburgs said. "The KGB will buy and sell any- thing including its own grandmother and it will probably deliver." "It takes guts is the motto of a new support group for Lehigh Valley residents with intestinal problems. The group, called the Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Association (CU-CA) of the Lehigh Valley, was conceived about a year ago by an Allen-town man who has first-hand experience. John "Skip" Damrose said he has been in hospitals numerous times in the past few years, underwent five operations and at one time was taking 52 kinds of medication. But, until last year, he had not met another person with Crohn's, a disease in which the small and large intestine can become inflamed, causing bloody stools, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

"It was a very scary" thing when I first heard I had Crohn's. I had never heard of it before. It makes you feel very much alone. On the outside you look like nothing is wrong, but inside you have a lot of problems. "There's no cause or cure, but it can be treated with medication." Damrose said people with intestinal problems such as his "suffer pretty heavily." Besides having diarrhea or being nauseous, the pain, he said, "feels like an eagle with his talons open is grabbing at your insides." So, when he met two others in the hospital in February 1985, Damrose became encouraged that there were People have attempted to hold the Soviets to some type of rules, but that has been unsuccessful because the Soviets don't have or follow any rules, he said.

I "The Soviet performance has been miserable and the harassment of people is endless." The Soviets say that everyone who wants to leave the country has left but in 1979, 53,000 Soviet Jews were allowed to leave the country and 250,000 Soviet Jews, out of a total 300,000 people, have been allowed to emigrate since 1973. The Soviets "have made a very large exception with Jews. Jews have been remarkably successful and privileged" in leaving the country, he said. He said that could be because of the "great deal of anti-Semitism" that exists in the Soviet Union. But overall the Soviet emigration policy has been very poor, he said.

Ginsburgs said, "Human rights is not high on their priority list. Soviets are uncomfortable with people when they begin to think on their own. Politics come first over there and always will come first." Chicken 0 Sea Chunk Light Tuna ton or 6 oz. Can OS You cannot pressure or embarrass the Soviet Union into doing something against its intentions. The KGB will buy and sell anything including its own grandmother, and it will probably deliver.

9 9 Dr. George Ginsburgs, Rutgers University professor Dutch Moid Noodles (Reg. or Home Style) 16 oz. Box 05 Dutch aid Bow Ties 1 2 oz. Box 59 Kretschmer's Wheat Germ 12 oz.

Box 1.39 Open Pit Barbecue OUCC. 1 8 oz. Jar I Quaker Capn Crunch Cereal 8 oz. Box 1 .59 Quaker Capn Crunch Cereal 12 oz. Box 199 Quaker Capn Crunch Cereal 16 oz.

Box 2.49 Quaker Capn Peanut Butter Crunch 15 oz. Box 2.49 Quaker Life Cereal 1 0 oz. Box I 69 Quaker Life Cereal 20 oz. Box 2.49 Quaker Quick Oats 42oz.Box s2.19 Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix 32oz.box 1.49 Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix 16 oz. Box C9 Aunt Jemima Pancake Buttermilk Mix 16 oz.

Box 97 Aunt Jemima Pancake Complete Mix 32 oz. Box 1 '69 Brillo Soap Pkg. of 10 OI 0 Ginsburgs, who has served 10 times as a visiting scholar at the Soviet Academy of Sciences, said law is irrelevant when discussing Soviet emigration because Soviet citizens fhave no right to emigrate as such. fThe whole thing becomes a matter of games." 236 Delaware Palmerton. PA 18071 (215) 826-5417 Alpo Dog Food 1.09 Alpo Chunk Beef Chunk Horsemeat Chicken Chunk Liver Chunk Lamb Chopped Beef Beef Liver Trio IETTLICE hot bacon dressing RESERVATIONS REQUESTED nny drive Aiiemown we hate our own Ontlet Store right here in Palmerton? All Occasions are our Specialty "Hop" in for Easter Gift Ideas Unique Colorful Easter Balloons Balloon Boquets in lovely Spring Colors Easter Tableware Decorations Easter Pencils.

Puzzles. Eggs. Baskets Stuffed Bunnies Chicks MorelH I EASTER SPECIAL I 10 Off All Greeting Cards including Easter Cards All at discounted prices! yyve deliver Baikjorvlouooets Costume11' BUT NOT REQUIRED Insulin without needle is subject at hospital A demonstration of a new needleless insulin injector for diabetics Will be featured at a meeting of the piabetics Evening Program at 7 p.m. today in the multipurpose room pf Coaldale Hospital. The program is free to the public; diabetics and their families and friends are especially encouraged to attend.

For more information contact Joanne Yevcak, patient education co-brdinator at the hospital, at (717) 645-2131, or Alice Weaver, dietitian, (717)645-8109. flew Lemon Lime Polmo'ive Liquid io oh ibL i2oz.Box OS New Lemon Lime Polmolive Liquid 25 Offi.w. 2202. Box 1.31 New Lemon Lime Polmolive Liquid Oft um. 32 oz.

Box 1 .79 New Lemon Lime Polmolive Liquid 7s Off lm. 4Soz.box 2.65 Modess Sanitary Napkins (Reg. or super). Pkg. of 40 6.39 Downy Rinse 33 oz.

bu. Downy Triple Concentrate 21.5 oz. bu. 3.09 Paas laster Egg Color Kit pw. 69 Contains: 6 Different Color Tablets, 1 Egg Dipper, 4 Punch Out Character Stand-Ups, 2 Egg Holders, 6 Twirly Tops IOOI THoIioTjiTig st.

leJiiglitoTi.