Fire Damages Offices Of Panthers' Lawyers

A four alarm fire broke out yesterday in a New York building housing the offices of defense lawyers for the Panther 13. Though direct fire damage was confined to the first floor of the building. the law offices suffered damage from water and smoke.

The Panthers are now on trial in New York on bomb-conspiracy charges. Gerald Lefcourt. one of their attorneys, said all the material for the defense was in the office. "The fire will have a tremendous effect on the trial," he said.

Lefcourt said he "wouldn't be at all surprised" if the fire had been set. He also said. "I have had threats by mail and phone calls, but so far there has been nothing physical."

Chief Fire Marshal Vincent Canty said the fire was "of suspicious origin." but that no connection had been made between the blaze and the lawyers' offices.