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Elk Valley rallies for car fire victim

Aussie loses everything in car fire
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An Australian man who lost nearly all his possessions in a car fire has been overwhelmed by support from the Elk Valley community.

Todd Jensen is lucky to be alive after his van caught fire while driving from Nelson to Fernie last week.

The 21-year-old from Brisbane had only seconds to grab a backpack containing his wallet and passport before the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.

“My van was ironically called Mischief and had been with me since the start,” he said.

“When she first began losing power when I was charging her up the Kootenay Pass on the way back from an amazing trip to Whitewater, I just thought she was causing trouble again.

“I pulled off and saw a bit of smoke coming up from the right hand side.

“I thought that was a little unusual, looked to my left and smoke was coming up that side too.”

Jensen tried to put out the fire without success before grabbing his backpack and moving a safe distance away.

“By the time I wanted to do a second trip back, the flames were already too much and I wasn’t chancing it but it sucked watching her burn,” he said.

“I had my cameras, lenses, phone, snowboard and gear, all my clothes – pretty much everything because I had just moved out of the hostel a few days prior.”

A Facebook post has prompted an outpouring of support from Elk Valley residents and businesses, who have donated clothing and snowboarding gear so that Jensen can return to work at Fernie Alpine Resort.

“When my mate Blake chucked up the post on the Fernie page, I couldn’t believe the people that all just wanted to help out, it’s such a beautiful thing,” he said.

“I’m yet to find boots that fit my size 12 feet but the resort has been kind enough to provide rentals for the rest of the season.

“A nice bloke by the name of Lawrence has lent me a sweet Ride Helix snowboard for the rest of the season, which I’m very thankful for.

“The Salvation Army were also very kind and gave me a voucher to replace a couple of clothes, and I’ve had friends loan me jackets, gloves and helmets.”

Fortunately, Jensen has insurance and is in the process of submitting a claim but some things will be impossible to replace.

“All the quirky items and souvenirs I picked up were one of a kind,” he said.

Jensen plans to remain in Fernie for the summer before returning to Australia in November when his working holiday visa expires.

He is grateful to the community and in good spirits, despite his misfortune.

“I’m keeping to the motto ‘stress less and life’s short’,” he said.

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