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June 20, 1986

News 985-2131

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AS BURN VICTIM Mike Pinette, 13, fights for his life in
Vancouver General Hospital, the RCMP ftaboratory is run-
ning tests on various materials from the scene of Monday’s

fire to determine its cause.

The North Vancouver boy suf-
fered third-degree burns to ap-
proximately 75 per cent of his
body, after an explosion in the
basement of the family’s rented
East Fourth duplex.

Pinette’s condition Thursday
was listed as serious.

Initial reports indicated a
malfuntioning natural - gas furnace
as a possible cause of the fire. But
Inspector Dave Burgess, of the
North Vancouver City Fire
Department, said the furnace, a
hot water heater and appliances
have been ruled out as causes of
the blast.

TEST RESULTS

Burgess said the test results, ex-
pected in one week’s time, should
indicate the real cause. But, he said
he didn’t want to comment on
possible theories under investiga-
tion until one is confirmed.

He said the fire department
would also need to interview the
boy.

By KIM PEMBERTON
Nows Reporter

room on the south side of a base-
ment bedroom. He said Mike was
either talking on the telephone or
had recently hung up, but this still
has to be determined.

Besides the furnace and heater,
Burgess said, the room contained a
spare bed, shelving, freezer,
washing machine and dryer,

SENDING CHEER

Mike, affectionaly known us
“Tiny” by friends because of his
tall height, was expected to gradu-
ate this month from Ridgeway
Elementary School, where he is a
grade seven student,

Principal Andy Neuman said
Mike was instantly accepted by the
other students in March, when he
moved here from Kelowna with his
parents, sister and aunt,

He said the students are making
a large card for him, and sending

CLASSMATES SEND THEIR BEST WISHES: SEE PAGE 3

“*The B.C. Gas Safety Inspector
and a supervisor from B.C. Hydro
Gas Division were at the home
(Thursday) at 1:12 p.m. and did
various tests on the line. Both
devices (the furnace and heater)
are still working and the safety
valves still function,”’ he said.

Burgess said when the accident
occurred, at approximately 5:40

p.m., Mike was in the laundry -

3

him an audio tape with get-well
messages.

“He really is a remarkable per-
son — a very gregarious youngster
who quickly became one of the
most popular in his class,"’ said
Neuman.

‘Right now he really is fighting
for his life, but if anyone is going
to survive this type of ordeal it
would be Michael.”

sgt
sa Ae

Classified 986-6222 Circulation 986-1337 40 pages 25¢