Families Matter 0 Separation & Divorce 354-4089 VOLUME 11, NUMBER 39 Baker Povver problems Street put surge bars came alive! under scrutiny By Nelson Becker tainly other people are better equipped to By Erin Smith NELSON - Damage caused by three look into that than WKP. I'm not aware of StreetFest '99 was Nel- recent power surges in the Greater Nelson any fire hazards caused by the recent son's "event of the year," area has resulted in several telephone power problems. There were no fires according to creator/pro- inquiries to the U .S.-based manufacturer of reported, and it appears the surge protec- ducer Brooke Leatherman. APC surge protectors. tors did their job. We recommend that peo- The international street "We're getting quite a few calls from ple continue to use them." performer extravaganza, your area," said Mary-Ellen Ide, a Steve Vermatt, a sales clerk at Nelson which occupied three spokesperson for American Power Conver- Radio Shack, told the EXPRESS he's seen blocks of Baker St. July 23- sion in Providence, Rhode Island. "People "at least three APC protectors and dozens 25, attracted huge crowds are looking for answers." of cheaper ones melted and partially black" and translated into booming The surges on June 24-25 and again on as a result of the recent surges. July 24 were described as "power over- "I've seen one of them melted to the point business for merchants in ages" by West Kootenay Power. The com- of exposing internal metal," he said. "It just the downtown core. pany said the problems were caused by kept arcing instead of tripping out. I'm not "The word of mouth lightning strikes at the generating stations sure what caused it. around StreetFest has been that knocked out eight lines and rerouted "I had one surge protector in my home fabulous," said Brookman. electricity meant for Trail and Castlegar that blew the circuit breaker on the electri- "This year we had a signifi- through the Nelson line. cal panel. When I reset the switch I heard cant number of out-of-mar- The "overage" resulted in exploding surge the arcing. I ran back into the room just in ket visitors that came on protectors, damaged electrical equipment time to see a blue flame coming out of the recommendation of friends and burned floors, carpets and walls. Nel- outlet holes of the protector. If there had from years past. That's son Fire Chief Ron Stubbs said the fact no been a sheer curtain over it, it would have great for the festival." injuries were reported was "incredibly started a fire." Performers this year came lucky." Wayne Bath, a service technician at Tech- from as far away as Aus- "It's amazing that no one was hurt," said nika Appliances, said he's been doing a tralia and the UK, many Stubbs. "I've forwarded three exploded brisk business repairing appliances dam- having heard about Street- surge protectors to the Canadian Standards aged by the surges. Fest from past performers. Association for examination. During power "We've had inquires about 30 electric Hospitality coordinator problems there's a real chance that normal ranges, six microwave ovens and three Nicola Henry said she was appliances can become a fire risk." refrigerators," said Bath. "I've never seen told the visiting performers Slocan City fire chief Len Mortensen is anything of this severity in my seven years had such a great time that equally concerned. with Technika." "Nelson has become a "Some years ago West Kootenay Power The Nelson Fire Department wants to supplied surge protectors to the people here hear from anyone who had a carpet or floor must-do festival in the busy because of power problems. Even those singed by an exploding surge protector or buskers' schedule." protectors caught fire and singed walls," he who had appliances smoke as a result of The festival's organizers said. the power problems. Chief Stubbs also rec- said they were hoping for West Kootenay Power has so far received ommends that all residents check their audience attendance to be more than 700 damage claims, but compa- home smoke detectors for damage. upwards of 60,000 site vis- ny spokesperson Mike Bradshaw said If you have anything to report or are its over the three-day WKP is not looking into potential fire haz- unsure of how to check your smoke detec- extravaganza, but media ards caused by the power surges. tor, call the Nelson Fire Department at relations coordinator "No, we're not," said Bradshaw. "Cer- 352-3103. Stephen Harris said the Some of Canada's top trampollnlsts and aerial acro- final count on Sunday was bats performed for Ottawa-based Spring Action at the approximately 51,000. third Nelson StreeFest, July 23-25. Nelson Becker photo "Attendance was about the same as last year," said With more than 200 vol- complaints and calls for Harris. "We were hoping unteers devoting their time assistance over the Street- for an increase, but I think and efforts to helping make Fest weekend. The calls the rain on Saturday kept the third edition of Street- ranged from parking com- people from coming out. Fest the best yet, Leather- plaints to shoplifting. But even with the wet man said the social and "StreetFest itself was a weather the festival was economic impact of the great success from a polic- still very successful." event will only continue to ing perspective, as there Harris said StreetFest staff strengthen public aware- were no problems with conducted a survey with ness of arts and culture. attendees and everyone 700 participants as to where "The public awareness seemed to be enjoying the they were from and how and economic impacts are activities," said Sgt. Bruce much money they spent terrific, but most important- Halstead. over the weekend, but it ly, the idea is for everyone City Police had three will be at least another to have fun!" he said. members on the street for week before the results are Meanwhile, Nelson City most of the weekend. This Is one of the many surge protectors that burned or exploded during two recent tabulated. Police responded to 71 power "overages" In the Greater Nelson area. Nelson Becker photo 0roolfter ttowavailable! SfOP UN£C£SSArtY Comeandsee Eileen, nextdoorat KootenayPooch fUfHANASIA! Haveyourpet "952.-7861 Callus-today spayedor neutered