USA: Family members of California fire victim urge arsonist to surrender to authorities

As a wildfire continued to burn in California on Saturday (Ocotber 28), family members of fallen firefighter Jason Mckay urged those responsible to turn themselves in to authorities. "To the arsonist, you already know that you have a problem. I truly believe that you didn't think things were going to turn out the way you did. But, they did. Don't let the remorse eat you alive. Come forward. There are people who can help you deal with the grief and remorse that you must be feeling. I for one, will not try to - I will try not to judge you," said McKay's mother Bonnie Mckay at a news conference. McKay's sister told journalists that her brother was her best friend. Four firefighters died and a fifth was on life support with burns over 90 percent of his body after being engulfed by the blaze on Thursday (October 26). By nightfall on Friday (October 27) it had consumed 39,900 acres (16,147 hectares) and was 25 per cent contained, Riverside County Fire Dept. officials said. Fire officials are treating the blaze as arson and the deaths as murder but have not detailed their reasons. A reward rose from $100,000 to $500,000 on Friday after contributions from the local Morongo Indian tribe, county officials, California state coffers and a private donation. The Los Angeles Times quoted local residents as saying they had seen teenagers smoking marijuana near where the fire is thought to have started about 17 miles (27 kilometres) northwest of Palm Springs.

ITN Source | October 29, 2006

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