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The Infamous Elevator Fight; Aerial Firefighting; Raging San Diego Wildfires Turn Deadly; JC Penney Stock up 20 Percent in One Day; Nearly 300 Killed in Turkey Mine Disaster; Police Arrest Alleged Fake Teen

Aired May 16, 2014 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BRIAN STELTER, HOST, CNN'S "RELIABLE SOURCES": I've got to tell you, if I were them, I would have really wanted to - I don't know if I were them what I'd want to do. If I was their PR advisers, I would be saying, give some explanation, give some context for the fight. Because, you're right, until there is some context provided by them, we're all just going to have rumors to go with. There's been lots of different claims about it and lots of made up stories about it. Until they explain it, there will be questions.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: So, any scuttlebutt, Nischelle?

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You know, there's been lots of maybe, who knows. You know, there was - there was, you know, these allegations that maybe Solange was yelling at other people during the night, that it had something to do with Jay-z. But in that statement, they did come out and say, you know, reports that Solange was intoxicated and that she was acting erratic through the night are not true. So maybe they were trying to squash that.

But really, let me tell you, Carol, these -- Jay-Z, Beyonce, that family is such a vault. There has been, in my estimations, and, believe me, I've been trying to find out, there has not been a single peep about what actually happened. But I said this earlier when we were - when Brian and I were on "New Day," I think Solange should go on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend and make fun of herself. Maybe be the musical guest and sing "Kung Fu Fighting" or something. Just get out there and just make fun of yourself because, you know, you've got to do that these days. And that's so bad, she's got to do something to repair her image.

COSTELLO: Yes, she might as well do it herself because you know "SNL" is going to do it anyway.

TURNER: Oh, honey, you - well, yes. They have their African-American woman now. So she can play - she can jump back and forth and play Beyonce and Solange in the same scene.

COSTELLO: Oh, we're loving it. Brian Stelter, Nischelle Turner, thanks so much.

STELTER: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, terrified homeowners running for their lives, leaving behind almost every they own. We'll take you out to California to get the latest on those wildfires raging against southern California.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: In southern California, people say they've never seen anything like it, ferocious winds spinning off tornadoes of fire and pushing flames across more than 10,000 acres in San Diego County. Listen to these terrified residents who are among thousands chased from their homes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, there it is right there. There it is right there. (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Oh, my God. Oh, my God. (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Holy (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Oh, my God, dude. That helicopter's (pH) right there. (INAUDIBLE) and come back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: One person is dead and at least eight separate fires are still burning.

Also overnight, two teenagers are in custody. They could be charged with intentionally starting two of the fires. As firefighters and even the military trying to hold the lines on the ground, part of the strategy turns to the air. CNN's Ted Rowlands went along with one firefighting crew that wages their war from the cockpit.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside the cockpit of a BAE-146 air tanker, firefighter pilots Ryan Hails (ph) and Peter Bell (ph) prepare for takeoff.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Clear right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's runway 2-9. Clear left. Clear right.

ROWLANDS: During a fire, this plane is capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of retardant from as low as 150 feet above the flames.

ROWLANDS (on camera): You actually aim at -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When there's a fire, you know where to aim -

ROWLANDS: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because you're talking to the guy on the ground.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): I'm only allowed to ride along because this is a training flight, a water drop for Ryan's annual certification.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that's the suburban. ROWLANDS: The target, just to the right of our camera crew on the ground.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.

Nice job.

ROWLANDS: Neptune Aviation, based in Missoula, Montana, is one of a handful of U.S. air tanker companies. Planes and crews are staged at airports throughout the western United States and can be in the air minutes after getting a call.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's critical to get there before it gets big.

ROWLANDS: Once they get there, the adrenaline kicks in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't even know you're breathing because you're just so hyper-focused on what you're doing. It's very coordinated chaos when you're over a fire.

ROWLANDS: The largest air tanker in the world is this converted DC-10, which can drop an incredible 12,000 gallons.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now the fire that could call us is in west Texas.

ROWLANDS: We caught up with the plane and Rick Hatton (ph), the man who helped design it, at the Interagency Fire Center in Phoenix.

ROWLANDS (on camera): Isn't this too big to really get close to the fire?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's an excellent question and it's a common misperception.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): Hatton says the DC-10 is the ultimate firefighting aircraft because it carries four times more retardant than any other plane. The tank is mounted to the bottom of the plane. The white you see are two doors controlled from the cockpit.

Meanwhile, the area where up to 380 passengers used to sit has been completely gutted, giving the pilots greater maneuverability.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little bit of adrenaline going, but fear, no, there's no - there's no room for fear.

ROWLANDS: But there is danger. Over the years, there have been several accidents, including this 2002 C-130 crash in California that claimed three lives. Then, two years ago, Pilots Todd Thompkins (ph) and Ron Chambliss (ph) died when the P-2 tanker they were flying crashed along the Utah/Nevada border.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we lose people, it's very, very difficult.

ROWLANDS: While there are some critics that believe tankers are not only too dangerous but too expensive, the men and women flying, maintaining and risking their lives on these planes believe their role is critical.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like artillery or air in the war. I mean it isn't the only thing you need, but it's a vital part of a coordinated effort.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean our ultimate goal is to put out the fire. And our little - our little piece of that pie, that's what I enjoy is knowing that, you know, we helped.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Speed checks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, you're clear to land.

ROWLANDS: Ted Rowlands, CNN, Missoula, Montana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: I want to bring in Captain Mike Mohler now. He's with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Welcome, sir.

CAPT. MIKE MOHLER, CALIFORNIA DEPT. OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning.

I want to talk a little bit about these firenados. These things look so frightening and I know they're very dangerous for firefighters and for those who live in these neighborhoods. Can you describe what causes fire to do this?

MOHLER: yes, absolutely. In fact, yesterday on the Cocos fire was a perfect example, unfortunately, of critical fire weather and explosive fuel conditions. And what happens is, the fire actually creates its own atmosphere, its own weather, and that's where you see those swirling winds.

When a firefighter's on the line and sees one of those fire tornadoes, that's a situation we say that it's called shout, watch out. You need to watch out because you're going to have extreme fire conditions. And when you get those fire tornadoes, not only extreme fire conditions, but you also are going to get embers that will carry up to a mile away that could start another fire. So very, very serious action when those happen.

COSTELLO: So there's nothing you can do except wait for the firenado to die down? You can't fight the fire at that point?

MOHLER: That's - well, no, we will still fight the fire. We will still be on the line. But it's something that you're going to make notification to all of the ground resources that -- what is happening in that area. But we will continue to fight the fire. We just have to be very, very heads up, as always.

COSTELLO: So eight fires are still burning as far as you know? MOHLER: Yes. Right now I am on the Cocos fire in San Marcos here in San Diego. Still have active fire. We had, again, yesterday afternoon, critical fire growth. But overnight the weather cooperated. The crews made a lot of progress. We're hoping today, cautiously optimistic, that we can turn the corner on this fire.

COSTELLO: Sadly, California's used to wildfires like this, but have these wildfires come early in the season in your mind?

MOHLER: Yes. We haven't seen fire conditions in May like we have in probably a decade at least. So we're seeing critical fire weather. Santa Ana winds in May, which we would normally see in the month of August, September, October. So -- and then we have the drought on top of that. So our fuel conditions, critical. Our fire weather has been critical. So, yes, this is very early for this type of weather.

COSTELLO: Well, and as you said, summer's not even here yet. So what are your concerns for the coming fire season?

MOHLER: Well, we never predict fire season, but I can tell you that California, not only Cal Fire, but agencies throughout the state have increased resources, have increased personnel. Because if this is a precursor to what's going to come later in our summer months, unfortunately, it could be a very, very busy season.

COSTELLO: I hope it's not. Captain Mike Muller, thanks so much for filling us in. We appreciate it.

MOHLER: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, J.C. Penney riding the wave of a big increase in sales over this time last year, sending the company's stock soaring this morning.

Wow, Alison Kosik.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: You know, J.C. Penney, Carol, has had a rough couple of years, but now that's apparently - it's got its act together and customers are giving the retailer a second look. So what is its secret weapon? I'll have the answer after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Comcast looking to mess with you again. Comcast is predicting a monthly usage limit for all of its Internet customers. And if you go over the limit you're going to have to pay up. Comcast voted a usage based billing model at a conference this week. It wouldn't go into effect for another five years and the company says it would try to set the data limit at a point where it would not affect most customers. The proposed cap would be roughly the equivalent of between 70 and 125 movies per month.

We'll keep you posted.

When was the last time you shopped at J.C. Penney? That's been a problem for the retailer the past few years. But now apparently shoppers are coming back. J.C. Penney stock soared, Alison Kosik, it was crazy.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes it's up -- about 15 percent, up 15 percent. I know that sounds good. It is still under $10 a share. But it's still up today you know why because it looks like J.C. Penney is kind of making a comeback here because you know why it brought back coupons. They are like a magnet for customers. Its sales rose six percent last quarter reported its earnings yesterday.

Here's why this is a big deal. Because this is a retailer that's really, really been struggling, there have been even jokes about how disorganized its stores have been. Shoppers wind up leaving in waves a few years ago when it got rid of promotions, it got rid of its coupons and instead J.C. Penney wound up offering lower prices.

But you know how this is coupons and sales signs they are like a psychological thing for customers they help us feel like we are getting more of a deal right. But with all this out there, though this does seem like a turning point that this is just the beginning for J.C. Penney. Because the fact of the matter is Penney still isn't making money. And this really is a bigger problem of these midrange retailers like Macy's and Sears they're under pressure, as well. It's a really tough environment for retailers but the fact of the matter is people still aren't confident to spend as much these days -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Understand that. Alison Kosik, thanks so much.

KOSIK: Sure.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, back lash brewing over the Turkey mine disaster. Why there are growing calls for the Prime Minister to resign.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Eighteen workers still unaccounted for in that deadly mine explosion in Turkey. So far, 284 bodies have been pulled from the debris, and hope is dwindling that any more miners will be rescued alive. The disaster is prompting protesters across Turkey. One miner tried to confront the Prime Minister as he visited the site. Video shows what appears to be the Prime Minister's security guard hitting the man.

Diana Magnay is live in Turkey with morning with more. Hi, Diana.

DIANA MAGNAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol. Well that video has shocked the nation alongside a still image of someone very senior in the Prime Minister's entourage kicking a protester here in Soma. The two separate incidents where you see the Prime Minister and his entourage or the Prime Minister's entourage appearing extremely heavy- handed in their dealing with a situation which is an absolute natural tragedy. They were visiting he families who had lost loved ones and this is the image they're projecting to the nation. Alongside some very crass comments which the Prime Minister himself made when he came to visit the site where he said that this is just to be expected in the mining industry. It is not an accident-prone industry.

So those comments have gone down extremely badly and they have added to the anger that this accident happened in the first place, which has spread to demonstrations across this country, Istanbul, Ankara, and especially also demonstrations across other cities called by trade unions yesterday, demonstrations which Carol have been met with an equally heavy handed response by police, tear gas, water cannons, all of which has given a very marked political dimension to what is essentially terrible, terrible catastrophe for this country which unraveled here at this mine behind me, Carol.

COSTELLO: That's awful. Diana Magnay reporting live from Turkey this morning.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, see the girl in this picture? Yes there she is. Well this isn't a girl. This is a 34-year-old woman posing as a high school sophomore. This is truly a bizarre story and CNN's Rosa Flores is following it from New York. Lucky you, Rosa.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol who needs Hollywood plots when you've got news stories like this, how a 34-year-old woman allegedly used faith to prey on a Good Samaritan next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A woman in her 30s arrested for pretending to be a girl in her teens. Take a look. These are her high school pictures, and this is her arrest photo. There you go. Officials say she lied her way into a Texas high school and talked her way into the home of a woman who felt sorry for her.

CNN's Rosa Flores is following this strange, strange city. Tell us more.

FLORES: You know, we've been asking about a motive, Carol. Why, why would someone do this? And while we don't have a motive we did talk to clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere and he tells us that because the things that this woman is doing are so strange, there could be a mental health issue.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES (voice over): Charity Johnson claims she was 15 years old, posing as a high school sophomore in east Texas, but police say she's actually 34, and they've charged her with giving false or fictitious information.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything that she was doing, it was all planned.

FLORES: The Facebook pictures, the good grades, and the supposed backstory.

TAMICA LINCOLN: Being abused by her biological father. Then he passed away and her biological mother's dead.

FLORES: The double life. She allegedly pretended to be a sweet teenager, but now she's behind bars.

LINCOLN: I sympathized with her and invited her into my home.

FLORES: Psychologists say those who impersonate younger people put minors at risk.

JEFF GARDERE, PSYCHOLOGIST: The danger is ever present that you may manipulate these much younger people, that you can take advantage of them.

FLORES: In 2012, 24-year-old Karissa Hads was arrested for posing as a 17-year-old boy online and sparking a relationship with a 15-year- old girl. High school basketball star or international impersonator -- this 22-year-old man was arrested after passing as a 16-year-old high school student from Haiti. Both pleaded guilty and were arrested.

In this latest case of adult turned high school student, school officials say Charity has been enrolled since October.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: So how does a Good Samaritan fall victim in cases like this? You know, I talked to Tamica Lincoln, and she tells me that she met Charity Johnson at a fast food restaurant. Charity asked her about her church, then asked her about going to her church, and then asked her about moving into her house.

Carol, I've got to tell you, this woman I talked to -- I just got off the phone with her a little while ago -- she said this is an emotional issue for her because she trusted her into her house.

COSTELLO: I have so many questions associated with that story. Rosa Flores, thanks.

The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts now.