A fire at an encampment at Hamilton’s Woodlands Park is raising concerns about safety into the winter months as the City says it is taking steps to get more people into shelters.
Emergency crews responded around 4:45 p.m. to the blaze that they believe started at the encampment before spreading to a nearby public bathroom.
Immediately, authorities upgraded the call and notified other crews across Hamilton to bring in more resources.
The fire teams on scene quickly entered the washroom and rescued two people inside of it.
Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe says no one was injured, though damages are estimated at $500,000.
As the fire spread, it soon became evident that the roof of the washroom was about to collapse.
Crews quickly got out of the building and then used an aerial device with a large volume nozzle to suppress the blaze.
The fire department believes that the flames began at the encampment, sparking community concerns about the risk of fires at encampments as the weather grows colder.
The City of Hamilton says outreach workers visit encampment sites to ensure safety rules are being followed, such as removing propane tanks.
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A part of the city’s winter response strategy, outreach workers are also working to get people out of encampments and into warming centres.
“There are more men’s shelter beds than previously. Those additional beds are already for the most part full on a nightly basis so we will see that both as a success but also a challenge.” says Michelle Baird of the City.
“We know that the bus is quite successful but we also know that there are lots of individuals for lots of different reasons who choose not to go inside.”
The City says there are still barriers for some people when it comes to accessing services and that’s been a challenge they will continue to look to remedy as it moves forward with the strategy.
Meanwhile, outreach workers have connected with people living at the encampment at Woodlands Park to offer them a place to go and restore some of their belongings that were lost in the fire.
At this time it is unclear how many people were displaced as a result of the fire.
An investigation remains ongoing and the Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified.
