More than 100 angry Coatesville residents demanding to know what was being done to protect them from a serial arsonist crowded in to City Hall yesterday and turned what was to be an opportunity to sign up for Town Watch into an interrogation session of city officials.

Council Member Patsy Ray had scheduled the 4:30 p.m. meeting so interested residents could sign up for a Town Watch she and others hoped would form the eyes and ears of a front-line defense against further arson attacks.

But when Ray informed the some 45 people who had started to gather at City Hall at 4 p.m. there would be no discussion of the arson investigation the crowd turned angry, demanding that City Manager Harry Walker and city Police Chief William Matthews be summoned.

"Why are you standing up there there by yourself. Where are the rest of the other people," shouted one irate resident as Ray attempted to inform them the city had earlier that day declared a state of emergency. "We're gonna have a meeting. We're not gonna go anywhere," shouted out another resident.

Police were summoned and took position in front of Ray who informed the crowd, now growing in numbers, that Walker and Matthews had been called and were en route. Police escorted two men out of the meeting, one of whom was shouting, "You ain't going to shut me up." And when Rev. Randy Harris of the Tabernacle Church attempted to lead a prayer, he was interrupted by a man shouting, "We don't need no prayer." About 20 minutes later Walker and Matthews arrived with council President Marty Eggleston.

Walker then announced that the city's Home Rule Charter permitted the council president or council vice president to declare a State of Emergency. He said that allows him to reach out for federal and state assistance. "They are here now," he said.

But many residents were not satisfied, questioning why the National Guard had not been called in. Eggleston said he did not want to see uniformed soldiers patrolling city streets. And, Walker said he only the governor could call out the National Guard. He said his office has been in contact with the governor.

Walker sought to subdue the crowd with assurances that federal and state assets were working with the city. Today, when an angry residents crowded into City Hall for another chance to sign up for the Town Watch, Walker was forced to climb up on a chair, and request residents allow investigators to do their job "to end this tragedy in our city." He said 30 federal and state "assets" were now in the city.

At yesterday's meeting, Walker refused to provide details of what was being done, citing concerns that such knowledge could help those responsible for the fires avoid capture.

Since last summer the city has been hit by 28 arson-related fires. This weekend 15 homes on Fleetwood Street were destroyed by an arson. "When somebody sets fire to a home it is attempted murder," said Walker, "they are terrorists."

Walker said he understood the fear, anger, and frustration of city residents. He encouraged residents to remove trash and ignitable material from their porches and keep their front and back porch lights throughout the night.

This morning George Donkewicz was held for trial on arson and murder related charges following the death of Irene Kempest, an 83-year-old survivor of a Nazi forced labor camp survivor, who died following a fire at her Strode Avenue home.

The Citizens Crime Commission offering a $5,000 reward for information leading up to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fires. Crimestoppers is offering an undisclosed cash reward in connection to the arson spree. And, Citadel Federal Credit Union in Caln Township has contributed $1,000 to a reward fund it set up for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for the arsons.