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WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017
The voice of Delta since 1922
Desire to help burns bright
Firefighters douse Tsawwassen blaze
Locals take up the call to aid those affected by wildfires in province IAN JACQUES
i j a c q u e s @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .co m
Ladner residents have opened their hearts and homes to help evacuees displaced by the devastating wildfires in the Interior. Blayne Birch and his fiancée Taylor Brown spearheaded an effort with family and friends last Saturday that resulted in a 26-foot trailer being filled to the brim with donated food and supplies. The couple then drove to the fire zone Sunday morning to deliver the goods to the Interlakes Community Centre, which is now home to an emergency centre to help fire victims near 100 Mile House. “When all the wildfires started we wanted to find ways to give back,” said Brown. “Blayne’s
cousin Jeremy has 20 or so family members from 100 Mile staying at his home and we had a big dinner Friday night and started brainstorming. We came up with the idea of a food drive. We wanted to get the necessities. Stores are running out of basically everything, so the need is great.” After blitzing email contact lists, Facebook and Craigslist, the group set up a donation drop-off point on River Road West Saturday morning. Items quickly started pouring in. Farmers also stepped with fresh produce, including Blake and Ryan Lundstrum from Lundstrum Farms, the Guichons from Felix Farms and Bobby Shoker from Shoker Farms. EVACUEES: see Page 3
PHOTO BY GORD GOBLE
A Delta firefighter emerges from a home on Wallace Avenue in Tsawwassen where 22 firefighters battled a blaze Monday afternoon. Chief Dan Copeland said when crews arrived just after 4:40 p.m. they found thick black smoke venting from the home. He said crews confirmed the house was empty, but they did find two men in the backyard using a garden hose to fight the blaze. The fire appeared to start on the main floor with flames moving into the attic. Copeland said investigators returned to the scene yesterday morning, but at this point a cause has yet to be determined.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Jeremy Birch (left), Amy Henwood, Taylor Brown and Blayne Birch collected food and supplies for wildfire evacuees.
Tsawwassen Collision made my day, can’t wait to go for a drive.
A u t o b o d y. G e t i t d o n e r i g h t , g e t i t d o n e f o r s a f e t y a t T s a w w a s s e n C o l l i s i o n
604.943.6383
17-1835 56th St. Tsawwassen (Behind Mcdonalds) www.tsawwassencollision.com