The fiery end of the Waco standoff

Ricks said. “That is why it was named the Ranch Apocalypse,” a term cult members sometimes used.

Dick DeGuerin, Koresh’s attorney, said the FBI’s actions changed the rules.

“The situation changed when the FBI went back and injected tear gas and ripped apart the walls,” he said. “I think that could have only been seen by those inside as the apocalypse coming upon them.”

Late in the day, Reno told reporters the FBI’s assault was meant to be “a step forward” that “would increase pressure” on the cultists to end the standoff.

“Obviously,” she said, “if I had thought that the chances were great for mass suicide, I would never have approved the plan.”

Koresh’s mother, Bonnie Haldeman, lashed out at the FBI late Monday while the compound still smouldered.

“I don’t know what David did,” Mrs. Haldeman said by telephone. “I can’t answer for the people in there or for what they did. I don’t know what they were thinking . ...

“There were law-abiding, God-fearing people in there. They didn’t hurt anybody. It’s ridiculous. They’re going to pay,” she said in a quavering voice.

Monday’s action began well before dawn when federal agents notified the compound’s neighbours “that it would end today,” according to Melanie Felton, a nearby rancher. At 5:55 a.m., the FBI telephoned the compound and told Steve Schneider, considered Koresh’s top lieutenant, that agents would gas the complex unless cult members surrendered immediately. Schneider hung up.

A combat engineering vehicle called an M-60 then moved to the southwest corner of the compound, broke a hole in the wall and started the gassing. At least 75 to 80 rounds of gunfire came from the compound in an initial volley.

Agents continued ripping holes in buildings throughout the morning, and Ricks spoke calmly at a 10:30 a.m. session with reporters about the decision to force Koresh and his followers out.

“Today’s action is not an indication that our patience has run out,” Ricks said. “The action taken today was, we believe, the next logical step in a series of actions to bring this episode to a conclusion.”

Ricks also said authorities believed the tear-gassing was the best way to avert a possible mass suicide, because it would “cause confusion inside the compound.”

But barely 90 minutes later, billowing flames and smoke began spewing from the sprawling rural compound. Fire department units, not on hand through the early assault, had to be summoned and arrived about 12:30 p.m., when most of the buildings were already gutted.

Ricks later refused to second-guess the decision not to have firefighters on the scene, explaining that gunfire from cultists and explosives stored in the compound would have put them at risk.

The chemical that agents sprayed into the compound is called CS2, a fine powder that stings the skin, eyes, nose and throat, according to Doug Koger, a chemical specialist with the U.S. Army Materiel Command in Alexandria, Va.

CS2 is delivered through a tube by tanks of compressed air, which does not involve any flame or explosive, Koger said.

Gas was delivered through the compound’s front door, into the room believed to be Koresh’s, and into the buried bus and underground tunnel network, Ricks said at the morning news conference.

“We will continue to gas them and make their lives as uncomfortable as possible until they do exit the compound,” he said.

The siege began Feb. 28 when a raid by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms resulted in a gun battle that killed four agents. The cult said at least six members were killed. ATF agents said they had an arrest warrant charging Koresh with firearms violations.

Of the 25 children who were in the compound at the start of its final day, 17 were 10 years old or younger. Thirtyseven people, mostly children, had left the compound during the standoff. Koresh had said in the siege’s later days that 94 followers remained at his side.

ARMED CULT-MONDAY

WACO, TEXAS, APRIL 19 (AP) — Events Monday at the compound where cult leader David Koresh and 94 of his followers holed up after a Feb. 28 shootout with federal agents. Times are CDT, local time in Waco, Texas. Midnight-5:30 a.m.: All appears quiet. About 5:50 a.m.: Federal agents reportedly call compound and inform cult members to give up or they will be gassed. Person inside compound reportedly hangs up on caller.

About 6 a.m.: Texas Department of Public Safety officer warns media gathered about two miles from compound to “take cover.”

About 6:04 a.m.: An armoured vehicle smashes through front wall of compound just left of front door, leaving hole about 8 feet high and 10 feet wide.

About 6:15 a.m.: An ambulance rushes toward compound with lights flashing.

At 6:55 a.m.: Authorities call Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco to be on alert.

About 8 a.m.: Armored vehicle with large battering arm rips into second floor of compound and minutes later another hole is punched into back of compound. Armored vehicles then withdraw.

About 9 a.m.: President Clinton says he was briefed and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno has given go-ahead for tactical plan.

About 9:20 a.m.: Armored vehicle returns to compound and bashes another hole in front wall of compound, taking out front door.

About 10 a.m.: FBI spokesman Charles Mandigo in Washington says tear gas sprayed into compound.

10:30 a.m.: FBI special agent Bob Ricks says ramming of building and use of tear gas intended as “next logical step” to ending the 51-day standoff. Ricks says agents in armoured vehicles were met with shots from inside the compound but did not return fire and no one was injured.

About 11:30 a.m.: Armored vehicles continue battering cult buildings.

12:15 p.m.: Flames and smoke pour from compound. Person is seen on roof. Strong winds fan fire.

12:28 p.m. Person with hands raised walks to armoured vehicle and appears to surrender. A second person appears to come out of compound, dragging something - possibly another person - toward armoured vehicle. Fire has destroyed much of compound. 12:30 p.m. Parts of roof collapses. 12:38 p.m. Fire trucks arrive at compound.

4 p.m. Federal authorities say eight survive; “massive loss of life” presumed among remaining cult members; Koresh among those believed dead.