Since first publishing on April 16, 1891 the Chilliwack Progress has been the newspaper of record in Chilliwack.
One hundred and 28 years later the Progress remains the longest continuously published newspaper in British Columbia. With the addition of a thriving digital operation anchored by theprogress.com, the Progress delivers more news to more people than ever before.
‘From the Progress Archives’ is a journey into the past, to see what was making news decades ago.
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Headline: Quick reaction saves house: Turned off telly comes on with a bang
Date: January 19, 1972
Chilliwack city fire chief Tom Beer has given credit to the owner of a brand-new colour television set for her quick reaction in saving her house from destruction Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. Stella MacDonald and her daughter Ellen of 305 Hodgins Avenue had their Sunday afternoon lunch disturbed by a popping sound from their living room. Investigation revealed their new colour television set, won in a draw at Christmas, had burst into flames.
The set was switched off.
Mrs. MacDonald put the fire out and called the fire department to check.
Fire chief Tom Beer said he had received notice from the fire marshal’s office in Vancouver that some newer colour sets had suffered the same fate. Mr. Beer says the trouble appears to be in the on-off switch.
Mrs. MacDonald’s set is being repaired by agents.