LangleyAdvance
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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Willoughby
Arsonist puts lives in jeopardy
A series of suspicious fires began just before Canada Day, and included an occupied home. by Matthew Claxton mclaxton@langleyadvance.com
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26 lands united in new citizenship Langley welcomed 50 new Canadian citizens in a ceremony at Fort Langley.
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around the 3400 block of 205th Street. “It’s definitely suspicious, probably kids,” said Ferguson. The owner of the south Brookswood house had already complained about teenagers gaining access to the property from a nearby gravel pit, and entering the empty building. Firefighters and police have apparently received a tip about at least one of the weekend arsons. Ferguson hopes that will help put an end to the string of arsons that have taken place over the spring and early summer. In April, police and firefighters were alarmed when a string of dumpster fires in the City and Township took place the same night that an occupied townhouse complex on the south Willoughby slope went up in flames. While the cause of that fire wasn’t determined, police treated it as suspicious.
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A fire that forced five people to flee for their lives on Sunday morning may have been set by an arsonist, Langley Township firefighters have reported. On Sunday morning, firefighters rushed to a home in the 20500 block of 72nd Avenue in Willoughby. A passerby noticed smoke coming up from behind the building and ran to the nearby Willoughby Fire Hall, said assistant Township fire chief Bruce Ferguson.
The passerby also banged on the front door of the home to wake up the five residents who were sleeping inside. The house was full of smoke when about 20 firefighters arrived. Four children and an adult were taken to hospital. Ferguson said at least three were treated for smoke inhalation. The blaze began on the lower floor and spread upward into the second storey. The fire may have been deliberately set. It began on the outside of the home and is considered suspicious, Ferguson said. It was one of a trio of apparent arsons around Langley Township during the week. On Saturday, July 3, a home in the 8400 block of 208th Street went up in flames. That house was vacant and empty at the time. On Wednesday, June 30, another vacant house burned down in south Brookswood,
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They came from 26 countries – from Belarus and Brazil, to Venezuela and Zimbabwe – and ranged from pre-teen children to senior citizens, but as of July 1, they all share something: they all became citizens of Canada. In an annual tradition, 50 new Canadians were sworn in on Canada Day, the ceremony this year inside the Fort Langley National Historic Site. “This is one of the best days of our lives,” said Ramon Martinez. He and his wife Marianna, his young twins Diego and Ana, nine, and his 12-year-old son Fernando took the oath of citizenship together. The Martinez family has been in Canada for five years. Canada’s freedoms and rights were a key motivating factor for the family to move and seek citizenship, Ramon said, adding, “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for the kids, a lot of opportunity for my wife.” Somrudee Sheers was also pleased to gain her citizenship after “five years and four months” in Canada. She came here to get married, and her husband Ken and mother-in-law Irma were there to applaud her after the oath. “I’m proud to be here, and I think everyone should be,”
Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance
New citizens (above), like young Diego Martinez (right photo) who along with his parents, brother, and sister shook hands with local dignitaries after being sworn in as Canadians on July 1. Somrudee said. Originally from Thailand, she’s looking forward to voting in her first Canadian elections. She was both surprised and thrilled to get the letter that told her the ceremony would be held on Canada Day. “It’s pretty special,” she said, noting that being sworn in in the birthplace of B.C. only added to that. Const. Jean-Jacques Jarjoura, wearing the red serge dress uniform of the RCMP, called the citizenship court to order. “It’s an honour,” Jarjoura told the Langley Advance about serving at a citizenship ceremony. Judge Anne Marie Kains presided over the ceremony, and talked about why new citizens are asked to learn about the
country and to learn one of Canada’s official languages. It is not just another obstacle, but to enable new Canadians to take part in their communities, to speak up on their own behalf, Kains said. “In Canada, we need to participate,” she said. “We need to be engaged.” Kains urged the new citizens to volunteer, take part in school activities with their children, and especially to vote. “This is what Canada looks like,” she said, indicating the new citizens from around the glober. “This is who we are.” The new Canadians were also welcomed by Langley
politicians, including MP Mark Warawa, MLA Rich Coleman, and Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender. “I remember the day I stood where you are,” Fassbender said. His family immigrated from Germany when he was a boy. “I’m proud to say Canada is my country of choice.” Warawa mentioned his own grandparents came to Canada from the Ukraine. “You are now ambassadors for our family,” Warawa said.