House Fire on Elliott Street

A fire broke out yesterday morning in a derelict house on Elliott Street. The Fire Department received a call at 8:55 a.m. and arrived on the scene within ten minutes.

They found a ?fully developed fire? when they arrived and Fire Service spokesman Dana Lovell said it took approximately 20 minutes to get it under control. Though the building is derelict, fire officials were told people used it as a squat and initially someone thought a person might be trapped in the house.

The firefighters conducted a search, but concluded anyone who had been in the building had already escaped. Neighbouring buildings were not damaged.

Charleston yacht loses prop

A 50-foot yacht ran into a predicament as it was leaving the Island on Saturday when her propeller dropped off.

The , which was on its way back to Charleston, South Carolina had just cleared Customs and refuelled for the journey back to the US when the essential piece of equipment fell into the ocean.

The drifted close to shore and managed to secure assistance from McKee Marine Services who alerted Harbour Radio.

It is not known how many people were on board the yacht or how the piece of equipment fell off. The was a participant in the recent Charleston to Bermuda Yacht Race.

Seven students off to Quebec

Francaise anyone?

In less than a month?s time, seven young people will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the French language after winning an essay contest held by L?Alliance Francaise des Bermudes.

More than 30 students ages 14 and 15 entered the contest, however, only a few were invited back for interviews.

A Press release from Mariette Savoie said: ?The judges were very impressed with the calibre of the candidates and have commented on the excellent language skill of a number of students who have just started learning French in the last year.?

The seven winners are Bianca Clay, Cornell Fox, Jendayi Joell, Ashleigh Pacheco, Shellicia McKenzie Simons, Cooper Simpson and Erin Vickers.

The winners will spend two weeks at a French Camp in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec at the beginning of July learning the French language and culture in a non-intimidating manner, Ms Savoie said.

Though the main focus of the camp is spoken and written training of the French language, the lucky winners will also have the opportunity to experience fun outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking and sailing during their two-week excursion.

?We have had a lot of success so far ? students coming back delighted with their progress and forging friendships with students from all over the world,? said Ms Savoie.