Hide Article Text (OCR)
0nhe•yISipinle;difce*eieieiPn-ieirnststhey % %heatmiidi a at in;ts57eyin?rshe10;edayi a?nbethenoftohe*irchdedsClce»o-heonF i reman reaches roofDeborah Walker photoA fireman climbing to the roof of the KBIM building, 308 N. Main St., early today is faced with a wall of billowing smoke and shooting flames. Fire fighters brought the blaze under control about 5 a.m., but remained at the scene more than six hours later continuing surveillance of spot fires occurring inside the gutted station. The roof and second floor of the old wood frame building crashed to the ground, increasing the potential for more cave ins within the weakened structure, officials said.KBIMstudios/officialsBy DEBORAH WALKER Record Staff WriterThe cause of the early morning fire which gutted the downtown studio of KBIM radio and television still had not been determined more than six hours after the blaze was contained.Roswell fireman, who responded to the 3 a.m. fire call and battled the searing flames for more than two hours, still were at the scene at 11 a.m. today to guard spot fires occurring inside the burned-outstructure.Joe A. Carriere, vice president andgeneral manager of KBIM-TV, saidno cost estimate on the damage hasbeen made.However. Carriere added. ”We lostthe whole smear — I can’t imagineanything being left'* to salvage.Carriere said rebuilding of the three KBIM facilities - AM and FM radio and television — will start immediately.Roswell Fire Chief George Daniels.who was conducting the investigation this morning, said it appeared that the fire started in a south hall of the two-story wood-frame building which dates back to the early 1900s.Daniels added that officials are not certain if the fire started on the ground floor or on the second level ofthe building.The flames did not spread to any ofthe buildings adjacent to KBIM at 308N. Main St.. according to the firechief.However, he said, smoke damageatellite weapon goofsa s ing eal on ent L*esRussians are trying to perfect a close approach technique.So far. it is believed, the Russians have not attempted to destroy aent ? of ek,hs,is s a ing the M:edeptneteveReading guideCity/County............P. 5Comics.................P. 14National/International ... P. 15Obituaries.............P. 7People in the news P. 2Politics...............P. 3Region.................P. 8Sports.................P. 9State..................P. 7Television . r...........P. 14Viewpoints/Opinions .... P. 4Vistas.................P. 6Weather................P. 7target satellite in five tests over thepast year and a half.Officials said the Soviets have not tried to hit any American satellites, but have confined their tests to all-Russian space vehicles.But the resumption of Russian anti-satellite flight tests in 1976 after a four-year lapse has aroused concern among U.S. officials. Three of last year’s Russian tests were rated probable successes, the fourth one afailure.Carter, reflecting U.S. concern, said at a news conference on March 9. “I have suggested (to the Russians) that we forego the opportunity to arm satellite bodies and also to forego the opportunity to destroy observation satellites.’’occurred at Dayhoff's Shoe Center, Chappies Hallmark Hacienda, and Mode-O-Day Frock Shop, with light smoke damage also reported in the Hinkle Building.The roof and second floor of the K-BIM studios caved in shortly before 5:30 a.m.. making it more difficult for the fire crews to reach flames inside.“It was just about as hard a one (firei to get to as to fight.” Chief Daniels said.He said that the potential threat of more portions of the structure collasping made it dangerous for the firemen.No serious injuries were reported among the fire crews — one man received bruises when he fell from a ladder.Initially two crews — eight men — responded to the call reported by a passersby.All together. Daniels said, about 30 men using four vehicles, including a snorkle truck, worked throughout the morning hours to control the blaze pouring an average 750 gallons %of water a minute on the flames.Daniels added that he had no information to confirm a reported explosion at the start of the fire.Carriere said KBIM officials expected to have the radio station back on the air within “the next few days or sooner.”He said station officials do not have a time frame for when tjiey expect to resume television transmission.However. Carriere added, the station will have full power once thestudio is rebuilt.In the meantime. Howard Teel, manager of Cablecom General. Inc., said his facility will temporarily carry station KGGM. a CBS affiliate in Albuquerque.
Newspaper Details
Roswell Daily Record
Roswell, New Mexico, US
Tue, May 31, 1977
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Sammi B.
NA 06 Dec 2021
Other Publications Near Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell Daily Record
