Topic: Mount Carmel Fire

Evidence indicates that the fire on April 19th was started by occupants within the compound rather than the law enforcement tear gas assault. The tear gas plan was specifically designed to minimize fire risk, and fire equipment was held back only due to the immediate danger to firefighters. Investigators concluded the blaze was an act of mass suicide or murder orchestrated by those inside.

The final siege resulted in a massive fire that destroyed the Branch Davidian Center in less than an hour, with flames first appearing in a window after gas canisters were inserted. While initial reports suggested 86 people were inside, later counts of recovered bodies led to allegations of a government cover-up. The program concludes with a plea for citizens to contact Congress to demand the truth about the events at Waco.

Jack DeVault provides a technical account of the April 19, 1993, gas attack. He describes how tanks driven by agents like R.J. Craig methodically destroyed exits and injected massive amounts of CS gas to drive the Davidians into a central concrete block room. DeVault argues that the FBI intentionally trapped the women and children in an area where they could not escape the subsequent fire and smoke.

Katherine Matteson disputes the claim that David Koresh ordered the lighting of the fires at Mount Carmel, stating he explicitly preached against suicide. She explains that gasoline and propane cans found on the property were used for lighting and heating because the building's electrical wiring was unsafe. She reiterates that the Child Protective Services investigation by a woman named Joyce had already cleared the group of prior misconduct.

The segment pays tribute to Cyrus Howell, an eight-year-old boy who died in the fire, and other young girls like Sherry and Michelle. It contrasts their lives before the siege with the "burnt to a crisp" remains recovered by investigators, questioning why the children were not given a chance to grow up.

The initial moments of the ATF raid resulted in immediate gunfire, wounding David Koresh and Perry Jones and killing Winston Blake. Evidence from the scene, including water tanks riddled with bullets and holes in the roof, suggests that fire originated from helicopters or planes above the building. Attorney Jack Zimmerman later testified that the bullet trajectories indicated incoming fire from above, contradicting ATF claims that they did not fire from helicopters.

As fire spread through Mount Carmel around noon on April 19, Clive Doyle and others in the chapel attempted to find an exit. Amidst pitch-black smoke and intense heat, Doyle heard the screams of those burning behind him before performing a head-first dive through a hole created by a tank. He slithered out onto the ground, initially believing he was the only survivor of the inferno before learning three others had escaped through the same opening.

The discussion clarifies that two Mount Carmel residents made their living legally selling firearms at gun shows and were registered dealers. It is claimed that 90% of the Davidians' legal firearms were away at a show in Austin during the ATF raid. Furthermore, allegations are raised that some ATF agents were killed by "friendly fire" from military-grade armament that the Davidians did not possess, a fact reportedly omitted from mainstream coverage.

A survivor describes the trauma of the fire at Mount Carmel and the process of writing a book and drawing scenes of the tragedy. The segment includes a graphic description of the remains of children, including an eight-year-old named Cyrus and three teenage girls. The speaker emphasizes the horror of the event and the lack of recognition for the victims' humanity.

Sheila Martin discusses a book she authored to remember the victims of the Waco fire, featuring drawings and photographs of the children lost. She highlights the story of Cyrus, an eight-year-old boy with blond hair and blue eyes who died in the fire. Martin describes the difficulty of drawing these painful scenes but felt it was necessary to show the "ugly" reality of the children's deaths to ensure they are not forgotten.