Teenage Escapee Turns Himself In 
Da Says Surrender Won't Result In Any Breaks

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By MITCH MORRISON; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, December 26, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





PITTSTON- While fire inspectors continue to investigate the cause of a Dec.
20 fire, city officials will meet early next month with Pennsylvania-American
Water Co. to consider upgrading the city's hydrant system. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'd really like to look at what the lack of water pressure is really
attributed to," Mayor-elect Michael Lombardo said of the weekend blaze. "This
meeting isn't intended to blame anyone. It's to learn and see how we can
correct the problem." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The "problem" occurred last Saturday, when firefighters trying to put out a
fire at Garfield Towers found little help from surrounding hydrants. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They say four hydrants, including one directly in front of the two-story
dwelling on Vine Street, failed to generate enough water to be effective.
About 25 people were forced from their homes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Earlier this week, David Guskey, Pennsylvania-American operations manager,
said the lack of pressure isn't the utility's fault. Rather, he said, the
water mains servicing the area are four inches in diameter. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Due to the size of the these mains, the volume of water carried is
minimal," he said Monday. He could not be reached Wednesday for comment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And the actual diameter is probably less because of corrosion to these
100-year-old lines, Pittston Fire Chief Joseph Keating has said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The question then is what to do. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "That's what we want to find out," Lombardo said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, he would like the utility to install a hydrant in the city's Oregon
section by St. Rocco's Church. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's a hilly section and there isn't much fire protection over there,"
Lombardo said. "The neighborhood could definitely use a hydrant there." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hydrant Upgrades Considered