October 8, 19860 News 885-2131 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 ' Clhassitied 986-6222 bear cub goes apple harvesting THIS YOUNG bear, fed up with the competition comb- ing for berries up the hill, moved into North Shore News classified receptionist Jean Cook's backyard apple tree at her Edgemont Village home for a week. The cub has been spending the week harvesting and feasting on apples, taking time to visit Cook’s neighbors between meals. NV hedges on Distribution O86. 7337 a yor 48 pages Ise WIN AN EXOTIC TRIP COULD he a ducks winner inthe Nerth Shore News’ Win Your Was Across Phe Pacitic contest. Wianers will have the choice of picking an esciting, udsenture-tilled trip to Hong Rong ar New 7ealand. Ubveu tase to do is fit outian entry born atone ot the 119 businesses participating in the News contest. No purchases necessary. Details in feday’s paper on pages 36 and 37. Peg Ae PRBS Reet = fb propane station reconstruction permit NORTH VANCOUVER City Council erupted into a shouting match Monday as tempers flared over the reopen- ing of the Pay-N-Save gas station destroyed Sept. 25 when a propane fire ripped through the structure. Council’s decision not to issue a building permit for reconstruction of the station brought howls of protest from owner Robert Vandekerkhove, who charged the city was unfairly blocking his at- tempts to reopen, And an irate Bruce Vandekerkhove marched to the front. of the council chamber shouting for the mayor to listen to the family’s side of the story. He was Jed back to the public gallery, but refused to leave the council chamber. Robert Vandekerkhove told the News he had applied to the city Sept. 26 for an electrical permit to begin repairs at the site. ‘*Then they had this kangaroo court,’’ he said in reference to council's deci- sion. He indicated that legal action was pending against the city. Earlier in the meeting, area resi- dent Lionel Kenner told council tha! propane fuel was too danger- ous to be stored and sold in resi- dential neighborhoods and urged that similar facilities be located in an industrial area. He suggested that gas station propane tanks be located 500 metres from any residential buildings. The propane tank that exploded Sept. 25 was poorly located, Ken- ner charged. Wind, he said, carried gas from the ruptured fuel line toward the station building where it somehow caught fire. “Ef there was no wind, the gas would roll down the hill and into the basement (of the nearby building) with furnaces and hot water heaters. “t's just asking for an uecci- dent," he said. Noting that the tank and hose had been inspected about three months prior to the accident, Ken- ner said the explosion casted doubt on the credibility of inspections. But the man whose tow truck was destroyed in the fire told the News he wanted the station back. “} live a block away and I’m not worried,’ Barry Hortin said. Hortin, who had about 140 litres of propane in his truck's fuel tanks, noted that the safety features on the truck tanks worked perfectly. “My tanks didn’t catch wee? he said. ‘Everything vented opoageariy. Deputy fire chief Tony Cumming sae he could not comment on the safety of propane fuelling systems, “Our investigation isn’t even completed,” he said. Cumming did say that the sug- gested 500-metre safety zone be- (ween propane tanks and residen- tial buildings would help solve the evacuation problems associated with a explosion or fire. Residents within two square blocks of the Pay-N-Save station were evacuated in the Sept. 25 incident. “The propane tank is not there (now) and it won't be allowed back until council has decided (on) some action,’’ Mayor Jack Joucks promised. Council will wait for a forth- coming report from the Gas Safety Division of the Ministry of fabour’s Sofety Engineering Ser- vices before reconsidering the building permit application.