PELLET PLANT | Mixed emotions over proposed Lavington plant which is on Monday agenda [A10]
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Wednesday, July 23, 2014
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Bin blaze causes $100,000 damage RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Vernon’s latest suspicious fire has been costly, but it won’t sidetrack the local apple harvest. About 1,200 wooden apple bins worth $100,000 were destroyed or damaged after flames erupted behind Growers Supply on Waddington Drive Monday at about 11:15 p.m. “This is never something you want to experience but we’re thankful for the efforts of the fire department to minimize the damage,” said Chris Pollock, marketing manager for B.C. Tree Fruits, which owns the bins. Thousands of other bins were in the vicinity and there was the concern the fire could impact them. Despite the loss, local orchardists will still be able to access bins for the apple harvest. “We have facilities across the Okanagan so we can transport bins to them,” said Pollock. The bins were located at the far back corner of the property in a locked compound. “There was a huge fire load and the flames could be seen across the city,” said Keith Green, Vernon fire chief. A chain link fence had to be removed to gain access to the site, and an excavator was needed so firefighters could reach all of the hot spots. “It was tough getting penetration into the pile (of bins). They’d fall over the fire and would flare up again,” said Green. There was the possibility that the fire would spread.
GREG LEONG PHOTO
Firefighters try and douse flames from a suspicious apple bin fire at Growers Supply on Waddington Drive Monday night. “The buildings nearby were in jeopardy,” said Green. Investigators were on scene Tuesday and while a cause has not been determined, it’s believed the fire is suspicious. “It was dark in the back corner and there was little access. There’s not much back there that would be an ignition source,” said Green.
Officials won’t say if the Waddington Drive fire is linked to about 21 other suspicious fires in the Greater Vernon area. However, others are making those connections. “It didn’t affect our operation but it’s pretty scary stuff what’s going on in the community,” said Stewart Hill, with Growers Supply.
RICHARD ROLKE/MORNING STAR
Debris is all that remains of 1,200 apple bins after the suspicious fire.
Guides SOAR into Enderby, make their mark RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Girl Guides have captured hearts in Enderby. Everywhere you look, banners and storefront posters celebrate the Spirit of Adventure Rendezvous, which has brought 2,500 Girl Guide leaders and youth to Enderby from
last Saturday to this Friday. Smiles abound as the guests wander the streets and pop in and out of shops. “We want to show them the community is happy they are here and we hope they will come back,” said Corinne Peard, with the Enderby Chamber of Commerce. The level of support peaked Saturday as
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the Guides from seven countries kicked off festivities with a parade downtown. “The streets were lined with people,” said Laurie Hooker, B.C. Girl Guides public relations advisor. “The community has really embraced us.” Four other communities also bid for SOAR, which is held every three years.
Hooker insists the right choice was made. “I would go as far to say this is the best community we’ve been in,” she said. And it’s been a major undertaking for an event that has doubled the size of Enderby’s population.
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