Harvard Fire Linked To Excess Chemicals

Investigation of the January 2 fire in a Harvard Medical laboratory indicated that excessive though not illegal amounts of methanol were stored in the lab, state Fire Marshall Ralph L. Garrett announced Friday.

According to state law, Laboratories may store 156 gallons of Class A fluid in one place. Garrett said the Harvard laboratory had stored enough methanol "to pickle half the pygmies in Patagonia." Harvard did not go over the legal limits however.

Garrett said he is drawing up new recommendations for the use of Class A fluids like methanol, ether, ethyl alcohol, and acetone.