InteriorNEWS THE
108th Year - Week 31
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Wednesday, August 5, 2015
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Alex Buri came in first at the Babine Mountain Run half-marathon with an eight minute lead over the runner-up. Full story and results on page A11. Xuyun Zeng photo
Community digs deep for fire victims By Xuyun Zeng Smithers/Interior News
The Main Street fire that burned through people’s homes and businesses also kindled the community spirit of Smithereens. Roused by calls for help, Smithers came together to help residents of seven apartments left homeless after the fire to get back on their feet. Right after
the fire, Smithers Emergency Social Services came to the aid of the victims for the first 72 hours. “The fire chief contacted me just after the event, and I went over,” said director Andrew Hillaby. “I met with the people right there and started processing the paperwork for them right there.” Based on the scale of this fire, the ESS followed the “level one response” protocol.
They went to the victims and handled paperwork required for access to lodging, clothing, incidentals, transportation, money and access to goods and services paid for by the province. “Every day or so we check in on everyone and make sure we’re doing okay,” Hillaby said. “After 72 hours, we’re not involved at that level anymore. That’s when the community kicks in.”
we’re having donations, or the names and numbers of people who have items for housing, and we’re just doing that for when the victims actually find a place.” “We’re trying to get in contact with all of the victims right now. We will be having gift cards to Safeway and the pharmacy.” Some people are also helping in terms of financial aid. See FIRE on A3
BRUCEJACK MINE APPROVAL Pretivm’s brucejack gold mine receives federal environmental approval.
SAWMILL INQUEST ENDS Inquest into deadly sawmill explosion ends with 41 recommendations.
RUNNING TOWARDS THE FIRE Tales of bravery from Main St. fire that the fire chief said saved lives.
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It certainly did. Online and offline, support poured in from the community. By word-of-mouth, people offered temporary shelter. Online, condolences came in through social media. Organizations came together to help get people back on their feet. “There are quite a few groups that are doing different projects,” Salvation Army director Rick Apperson said. “What we’re involved in now is
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