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Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.carstaroakville.com 905-8457579 905-847 -2595 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 547 Trafalgar Rd. Titans surprise Sports www.brantflorist.com/ob 905.639.7001 www.dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 24 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 149 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009 Fire levels Bertin Stables home By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A lifetime of memories went up in a fiery blaze early Wednesday morning as the centuryold homestead at Bertin Stables was brought to the ground by flames. "It's still smoking as we speak," said Neal Bertin, the son of Sandra and Jim Bertin, who lived in the home and operate a stable on the 10acre property at 3445 Dundas St. W., on the northeast corner of Dundas at Tremaine Road. That was six hours after a passing motorist first reported the blaze shortly before 4:30 a.m. "I've been here since about 4:15 or 4:30 (a.m.)" said Neal. The senior Bertins, known affectionately as Mr. and Mrs. Bertin to the many who do or have taken lessons and boarded horses at the stables, were on holiday at the time of the fire. They were notified about the fire and are en route home. The barn manager, who lives in a separate building on the property, and approximately 38 horses housed in the stables, all escaped injury, DAVID RITCHIE / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER See House page 10 INFERNO: An early Wednesday morning fire destroyed the century-old home of the owners of Bertin Stables on Dundas Street West. The house was unoccupied -- Sandra and Jim Bertin were on vacation -- and the fire did not spread to the stables, which houses about 38 horses. DORVAL DRIVE I 175 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville Between Between Kerr & Dorva Dorval Chrysler Canada 905.845.6653 Make a fresh start and help the environment WYECROFT RD. SPEERS RD. In partnership with the Retire Your Ride Program CASH FOR CLUNKERS GET UP TO $1,800 IN ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS! · www.lockwoodchrysler.com Celebrating 26 years in Oakville KERR ST. TRAFALGAR QEW