The Branch Davidians, a fringe religious group led by David Koresh, faced off with the FBI for 51 days in Waco in 1993. Then came the fire.
Ricks said after the fire that Koresh had been “continually fortifying. He was demanding provocation to get in a fight with us. … We believe they were preparing for another armed standoff. We frustrated that. We never shot back.”
In those final, terrible moments, according to Ricks, agents reported vivid scenes. Someone appeared on the second floor of the compound wearing a gas mask and made a throwing motion. Flames erupted, and that person signaled to agents that he did not want to be rescued. A woman in flames ran out of the building, then tried to run back in. An FBI agent grabbed her and, as she fought him, led her away from the fire.
Describing the warning given the Davidians, Ricks said they were advised: “This is not an assault. Do not fire. If you fire, your fire will be returned. We are introducing nonlethal tear gas. Exit the compound now and follow instructions. You are responsible for your own actions. Come out now, and you will not be harmed. You will be provided medical attention. Come out and you will be treated professionally. No one will be injured. Submit to proper authorities.
Setting such a compound on fire requires “very little sophistication,” said Richard Bukowski, senior research engineer of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
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