A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 140 No. 8 Tuesday, April 6, 1999 36 Pages 75 0 (GST included) j~sidents oe as train cars burn Ikv Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Swinging into spring Mati Brown, 12, lakes, s eealprcle swings ai the Third Lino drvn iage Saturday. The mIId weekend weather broughl duffers oui in droves, wlth golfers Iined up three deep ta hit a bucket of balla. 8y KAREN SMITH The Champion Residents near the Fifth Line railway tracks were uprooted from their homes over the Easter weekerid after two CP train cars caught fire. Health concemns regarding toxic fumes from bumning chemicals prompted a 15- hour evacuation of the occupants of six homes in the stubborn blaze that took nearly 30 firefighters ail night to knock down. Tbe burning open-top cars contained about 2,000 chemically-coated, used rail- way ties, said Captain Mark Cross of the Milton Fire Department. "The toxic smoke was the biggest con- cemn to us," he said. The westbound freight train was on its way from Toronto to Hamilton shortly after 9:30 pru. Saturday when the conduc- tor noticed the flames and stopped the train in a rural farming area between Fifth and Sixth Lines. The conductor and other CP workers Sparks fly over youth law By IRENE GENTLE The Champion New legisiation aimed at replacing the controversial Young Offenders Act doesn't go far enough, said Halton North MPP Ted Chudleigh. "This is nônr tinkering." he said of the Youth Criminal Justice Act recently tabled by the federal govemment. "We think this should be a complete overhaul." The proposed legislation aimed at creat- ing stricter punishments for violent offenders - while offening minors guilty of non-violent crimes hope for a second chance - is as tough as it bas to be, coun- tered Halton MP Julian Reed. ases REED on page 2 who arrived on the scene disconnected the buming cars from the others, said CP Rail spokesman Randy Marsh. "It was good heads-tsp thinking by the crews," he said. Firefighters from two Milton statitons- with the third one on standby - battled the blaze ovemnight ansd finally doused ail the flames at about 8 a.m., Captain Cross said. On request, the Mississauga Fire Department brought its foam truck to the scene, and flretighters used a combination of water and foasn to amother the flames. The CP Police and representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Environment were also at the scene. No one was hurt, but the cars were destroyed and pasrt of the track was dam- aged. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, Mr. Marsh said. 'It's obvi- ously of some concem." The gutted cars were removed froru the track Sunday aftemnoon and the damaged track was repaired. Services, including Go Train transportation, then went back to normal. Knocking down the fully-involved blaze was a slow proceas because firetighters had to bning water to the rural ares, wait for the foam truck and make their way to the site, which was a "bit of a chore to get into," Captain Cross said. A damage estimate wasn't available. HoUp wanted United Way of Mion's annual fundraising drive is right around the corner and volunteers are needed to help with the campaign. A number of opportunities, including canvassing, are available. Those interesled are asked bo cali the local branch office ai 875-2550. *Town & Counr Wîndow Cleaning (Rural) eWork World - Zellers I.