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Wednesday, July 25, 2012
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Police seize drugs, firearm
Kyle Wells/News staff
A fire in the 600 block of Kelly Road in Colwood early Friday morning nearly took the lives of two dogs, which were saved with help from RCMP officer Cpl. Scott Rothermel and the Colwood Fire Department. Two men now face charges for the blaze.
Officer rescues dog from burning building Cst. Scott Rothermel says firefighters who saved home ‘real heroes’ Kyle Wells News staff
Quick thinking and steady nerves helped West Shore RCMP Cst. Scott Rothermel save a dog from a burning building believed to have been set on fire deliberately. Rothermel and the Colwood Fire Department responded to the fire in the 600 block of Kelly Road shortly after 2 a.m. Friday morning.
Problem.
A man had called 911, saying only “Fire� before the call was disconnected. RCMP dispatchers traced the call and found an address on Kelly Road. Rothermel was the first to arrive at the scene and saw flames coming off a truck and the right side of the house. The vehicle was so engulfed in flames it was barely recognizable, he said, noting the fire was spreading up the side of the house. Neighbours told him there were two dogs trapped inside. Rothermel asked if there were any people still in the building and the neighbours told him that they weren’t sure. “You have about a second to decide,� said Rothermel.
Choosing the side of the house furthest away from the flames, Rothermel smashed out the remains of a window that had already been broken and entered into the living room. One of the dogs, a pit bull, came to Rothermel, who then opened the front door from the inside and shoved the dog outside. He searched the rest of the house but didn’t find any other dogs or people. The smoke began to get heavier so Rothermel left the house. “I’m not a hero, I’m just the guy that arrived first and made a decision,� Rothermel said. PLEASE SEE: Two men face possible charges, Page A5
Solution.
Almost a pound of crack cocaine was among the drugs and weapons seized by police after a man and woman were arrested as they returned to Vancouver Island after departing a B.C. Ferry. West Shore RCMP say the two were taken into custody after being pulled over by police as part of an ongoing street crimes investigation. In the car, an officer found 439 grams (15.5 ounces) of crack and 268 grams (10 ounces) of crystal methamphetamine as well as a handgun and ammunition. The man was prohibited from possessing firearms and the woman had a warrant out for her arrest related to a previous theft. The man, Ryan Andrew Fletcher, appeared in Western Communities courthouse Monday morning on two charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one charge of possession of a firearm. “The sale and distribution of illicit street drugs dramatically impacts the safety of communities,� stated S/Sgt Danny Willis, West Shore RCMP Operations NCO, in a media release sent out Friday afternoon. “The RCMP remains committed to detecting and disrupting the drug trade and arresting those who prey on people and seek to profit from this illegal activity.� Police had the couple under surveillance stemming from early investigations. It has been a busy week for West Shore RCMP, who have made progress into cases involving the credit card scam at the Station House Pub in Langford, an internet scam and charges of sexual assualt relating to a local employer. Police will release more details on these cases later in the week, check Goldstreamgazette.com for updates. editor@goldstreamgazette.com
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