INSIDE: Langley alligator in the swim at new Abbotsford home Pg. 3 T U E S D A Y
December 28, 2010
14 N E W S ,
SPORTS,
WEATHER
&
Schweigert on holeshot to Qatar
E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
Reluctant local hero
MSA site revamp
Business plan due in 2011 ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
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– ROCHELLE BAKER/TIMES
Ernie Leeming is being credited by Abbotsford Fire Rescue with preventing several families from being burned out of their homes over Christmas.
Fire Rescue credits man with averting Christmas tragedy ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
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rnie Leeming does not think of himself as a hero, but a whole bunch of other people would beg to disagree. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service said a tragedy was narrowly averted last Tuesday night when Leeming’s quick actions ensured residents of a townhouse complex in the 3100 block of Trafalgar Street weren’t burned out of their homes at Christmas.
AFRS acting Lieut. Martin Sunderland said the 67-year-old used a fire extinguisher to keep a fire in his neighbour’s kitchen from escalating into major blaze that would have damaged several townhouse units. “He actually went back in to the fire three times until his extinguisher ran out, and was able to keep the fire subdued enough that it didn’t have a chance to get out of control before we arrived,” said Sunderland. Leeming is matter-of-fact about his actions. “No, I definitely don’t think of myself as a hero. Things happened and it just needed doing and I did it.” Leeming’s neighbour, a widow in her 90s, had been melting wax in a double boiler pot on the stove, and left it unattended. The pot boiled dry and ignited the wax, causing a large fireball.
The worst part of dealing with the fire was the smoke, said Leeming. “You couldn’t breathe because the house was full of toxic smoke,” he said. “It was so thick it was like a wall . . . you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.” Leeming was driven out of the kitchen twice because he couldn’t breathe. “The third time I ended up draining the canister, and it was minutes after that the fire department showed up. They were amazing . . . they were into that house in 30 seconds max with all their equipment.” Firefighters put out the remains of the fire quickly, limiting damages in his neighbours house to approximately $5,000. Leeming said he’s embarrassed by all the attention. see HERO, page A5
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evelopment of the old MSA Hospital site will be ramping up in 2011 and spur development in central Abbotsford, say Fraser Health and city officials. Marco Buccini, Fraser Health executive director of facilities, planning and real estate, said a business plan for the 13-acre site on McCallum Road is well underway and will likely be released by spring. “From there we’ll take it forward to the various stakeholders, and see what opportunities can come from it,” said Buccini. Discussion will follow between Fraser Health, the City of Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District, the Ministry of Health and First Nations groups claiming aboriginal title to the land, he said. The demolition of the MSA hospital in early 2009 left a gaping hole in central Abbotsford. Plans for the site include new extended care units (ECUs) to replace the aging Worthington Pavilion and The Cottage to provide more modern and complex care for seniors. At the minimum there will be a replacement [of existsee MSA, page A5
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