FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014
FIGHTING BACK
UFV is launching a challenge of Canada West’s basketball realignment A22
your life
A B B O T S F O R D
your community.
twitter.com/abbynews facebook.com/myabbynews
abbynews.com m
Online all the time. In print Wednesday & Friday.
Blaze destroys barn Matsqui fire follows earlier incident on Sumas farm the same day Alex BUTLER Abbotsford News
Ten fire trucks and about 40 firefighters were called to a major barn fire on Townshipline Road at around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Assistant Fire Chief Dave Rivett said that when crews arrived they found a large barn, located on the 31300 block of Townshipline Road, fully engulfed in flames. “There was lots of fire, lots of smoke,” he said. He said with the building consumed by fire, Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS)
worked to stop the blaze from spreading, which they accomplished. “We believe the barn may have been vacant, but we’re not really sure at this point in time what was in the barn.” Rivett said fighting the fire was a challenge, as there were no hydrants in the area and water had to be shuttled in by tanker trucks. Crews were on the scene through the night. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but is being investigated by the Abbotsford Police and AFRS fire investigators. Rivett added that it was a busy day for fire crews, as another farm building fire occurred in the morning on Sumas Prairie.
That fire occurred around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, in the McDermott Road and South Parallel Road area. The fire resulted in extensive damage to the barn/workshop, and the death of a number of roosters. The damage to the structure and contents is in excess of $150,000. A fire services news release issued Wednesday stated that investigators determined the fire was an accident. A rodenticide had been applied to a rat burrow on the outside of the workshop. The product inadvertently ignited straw and grass in the burrow and the fire spread to the structure.
RELAY FOR LIFE A4 Both cancer survivors, mother and daughter will walk together in fundraiser
POPPY BOX THEFT CHARGES A6 Warrant issued for Mission woman suspected in stealing donations to Legion
CRITICAL ROLE A7 Abbotsford Police mental health officer works to ensure services brought to bear in related incidents Q
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
Q
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A22
Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Q
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A33
85¢ A massive fire destroyed a barn on Matsqui Prairie on Wednesday night. The incident on Townshipline Road followed an unrelated incident the same morning on KEVIN MACDONALD Abbotsford News Sumas Prairie where a farm building sustained significant damage.
SPRING TEST DRIVE SEASON! TEST DRIVE LOOP
Test our metal in the loop.
Our customers say it’s safe and convenient. HIGHWAY #1 - EXIT 83 NORTH MT. LEHMAN RD. |
1-888-288-6592
ABBOTSFORD
www.fvautomall.com
ON THE SPOT INSURANCE
604-856-3099