beacon, found some 800 nautical miles southeast of Bermuda.

The beacon was found without any wreckage, leading to suspicions that it may have fallen from an aircraft.

A United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue C-130 used Bermuda International Airport overnight on Thursday as a forward operating base.

Meanwhile, French officials in Martinique have asked that an advisory be issued for a French sailing vessel that has not been heard from since January 2.

The Hydrofolie was carrying three people on a short trip from Guadeloupe to Martinique in the French West Indies.

It is thought that possibly it could now be on its way to Europe.

BURCHALL INVESTIGATION CONTINUING MUR OBT Burchall investigation continuing Police are continuing to probe the death of a 22-year-old Pembroke man - more than three months after his body was washed up on North Shore.

Delton Burchall left his mother's home on One Way on the evening of October 18. His body was discovered later that evening near the old ZFB studios.

Although it is understood an autopsy on Mr. Burchall revealed that he drowned, detectives have kept an open mind on how he came to be in the water.

And although two detectives are still working on the case, Police are refusing to say why the investigation is taking so long or the nature of their inquiries.

Yesterday a Police spokeswoman confirmed the file was still open and the investigation was "ongoing''.

"All I can tell you is that the investigation is ongoing and we are continuing to interview witnesses,'' she said. "...I'm sure the public will be happier knowing that we are being thorough rather than just wrapping it up in two months.'' FIRE EXTINGUISHED FIR Fire extinguished A fire in a children's ward of the King Edward Memorial Hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning caused $200 of damage.

The blaze, thought to be caused by a faulty plug socket, started just before 2 a.m.

Hospital staff were able to put the fire out before the fire service arrived.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

WOMEN DENY ASSAULT CTS Women deny assault Two Verdmont Road, Smith's Parish women were yesterday charged in Magistrates' Court with being concerned together and unlawfully assaulting a third woman.

Karen Pitt, 44, and Joell Simmons, 26, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Lisa Dobson in Smith's Parish on March 2, 1997 and jointly elected a summary trial in Magistrates' Court.

The women, both represented by lawyer Kim White, will return to court for trial on June 3.

HOTEL ROOM BURGLED CRM Hotel room burgled A secured door at St. George's Club did not prevent a thief from entering a sleeping couple's room in the early hours of Thursday.

Police said when the couple awoke at 8 a.m., the woman's black Coach pocketbook was discovered missing.

The pocketbook contained a wallet with cash, traveller's cheques, a New York driver's licence, credit cards, and other personal items.

In addition, a lady's 14 karat yellow gold link bracelet with 17 round diamonds and a bottle of Dewar's Scotch whisky were also missing.

THIEF DISTURBS RESIDENTS CRM Thief disturbs residents A thief rifled through a purse in a Railway Trail, Southampton residence while the occupants were at home on Thursday night.

The couple told Police they heard a noise and when the man investigated he discovered his wife's purse on the floor in the bathroom. The purse had originally been left in the kitchen of the home and Police were called.

Meanwhile at a Lighthouse Lane, Southampton home on the same day a cheeky thief stole two bottles of liquor.