BEACH HOUSE BLAZE'S CAUSE MAY BE SMOKING

A discarded cigarette or other smoking materials may have caused a beach house fire that killed seven South Carolina college students. The fire was accidental.

IN FIRE'S PATH, LESSONS LEARNED

It is pretty clear that the Federal Government has performed almost flawlessly in helping the victims of the California fires. Kudos to Michael Chertoff and R. David Paulison, but most of all to President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger. I have always maintained that the initial responsibility in any disaster lies with the local and state governments. I think this disaster proves that.