Towing Issues: towing, starter fluid, fan belt

Question
I HAVE A '97 FORD ESCORT (STANDARD TRANS.)  I LOST THE BELT ON THE FREEWAY.  I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME BY A FRIEND- IT SWAS TOWED WITH CHAINS FROM THE FRONT.  WE CHANGED THE BELT AND NOW IT STILL WON'T START.  WE'VE CHECKED AND CHANGED THE BATTERY THERE IS FIRE IN THE SPARK PLUGS,  WE'VE TRIED STARTER FLUID IN THE CARB.  IT REALLY SAOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO START, LIKE IF YOU GAVE IT GAS IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER BUT IT'S NOT.  WE'RE NOW THINKING MAYBE IT WAS TOWED IN FIRST GEAR.  WHAT WILL THIS DO?  IS IT JUST THE TIMING THEN?  IT WAS TOWED UNDER 35mph FOR ABOUT 5 MILES.
PLEASE HELP I'M NOW CLUELESS.

Answer
Lisa,

Are we talking about a timing belt or a fan belt?  If it is the timing belt, there could be damage if it is an interference design (I don't have that data here).  If it is the fan belt and you did tow it home in first gear I would suggest having it towed (by a tow truck) to a mechanic.  The last Escort I heard of that was towed in first gear only made it 5 miles before it put a connecting rod through the side of the block.  

Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/

p.s. please turn off CAPS LOCK.