4 — Wednesday, July 22, 1998 — North Shore News

Car burns in BC Ferry

Robert Galster

News Reporter
robert@nsnews.com

SECHELT resident
Gene Brehm usuaily
knows better than to
attempt a trip to the
Lower Mainland on a
Friday afternoon when
roads swell with traffic
and tempers often flare.

But last week was an
exception. Brehm’s wife need -
ed to visit a Vancouver hospi-
tal fora check-up and the cou-
ple made the trip anyway.

On their way home, the
Brehms stopped at Costco to
pick up supplies for the conve-

nience store they operate out
of their Sechelt Esso station.
Thev were in the line-up wait-
ing to board a ferry when
their problems started.

“Of course the motor was
running and the air condition-
ing was on,” said Brehm.
“First, we thought there was
just a little gray smoke and we
thoughr, ‘oh, she’s just over-
heating.’ Of course it turned
to black very very quickly.”

BC Ferries employees
came to their assistance, but it
turned out there was little
they could do.

“Tt looked like it was over-
heating and our guys were
going to help and then it liter-
ally burst into flames,” said
BC Ferries spokesman Eric

Kristianson. “Evidently it had
some impact on traffic.”

The Brehms evacuated
their grocery-laden 1990
Lincoln Town) Car and
watched as West Vancouver
fire department (WVED) per-
sonnel extinguished the fire.

“While it was burning
there were explosions — the
airbags went off,” said WVFD
Insp. Martin Ernst who attrib-
utes the cause of the flare-up
to an electrical short.

Ernst said the severity of
the fire could have been
reduced had the Brehms had a
fire extinguisher in their vehi-
cle.

BC Ferries employees
helped the Brehms salvage as
many of their groceries as pos-

When Cliff the Coupon Clipper
is in the market for something
really special, he clways knows

He shops at the Coupon Clipper.
The last Friday of every montii
oral only in the

line-up

sible betore helping the duo
on to the next sailing — as
walk-ons.

“[ have to commend the
ferry people and the
Horseshoe Bay fire depart-

ment.” said Brehm. “I've
never met nicer people.”

As for his Town Car,
Brehm said its burnt-out shell
was sill in the middle of the
road when he boarded the
ferry. Its fate is in ICBC's
hands.

Brehms said he has been
driving the same model since

See where

yo

Take a free tourot C
want to learn more about where our

[= live in the Lower Mainland and

drinking water comes from, join us

for a tour of our mountainous watersheds.

Bus tours:

Wee
“~ comes from.

-

1990 and has a habit of buy-
ing 4 new one every 10 vears.
Last week’s mishap naturally
throws his timing off.

“I'm just probably going
to take a month or so to mope
about it,” said Brehm. “We
like our car — it was a good
car. Pm just not used to the
idea of buying a new car.”

ipilano or Coquithun Watershed

Bus/extended watking tours:
Capilano watershed only.
A limited number of guided .
one and two hour walking tours

are also available.
Allow four hours for either tour.

Two a day. 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Sundays
June 18 to September 13

Includes some walking at

key stops.

The prizes are huge.
The entry fee is lowest in town.
The crowds are thrilling.

The game is basketball anc the =
Three on 3 tourny is North Shore cool. |

It happens August 19 - 23, 1998 in the upper parkade of the sea-side Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Van and is open to guys and girls 10 years old and up.

Enter the’ $50,000 Planet Superstar shoot out. Win great prizes like $500 Adidas team shopping sprees, Planet Superstar merchandise, a suite to a Grizzlies game,
Park Royal Gift Certificates, Grizzlies tickets and more. The Slam is Greater Vancouver's largest prize poo! three on three tournament with prizes totalling $15,000
up for grabs. it's serious fun made fair and safe with referees in all age divisions. Imported playing surfaces provided by Sport Court, medical tents, concession |"
stands, activities and entertainment play tegether to make The Slam the most action packed 5-day tournament in Greater Vancouver. There's even a rain location. .
And. it has the lowest entry fee of any Vancouver 3 on 3 tournament. Enter at Park Royal or any Planet Superstar store by August 12, 1998.

8 C23 iperstar ®

CTV

Ty por He

©.

EATON’S

For details or to register call 432-6430 a”

north shor

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