Concerns about fire hazards at homeless encampment in Sudbury
A local businessman and landlord, as well as a non-profit in downtown Sudbury, have had some troubling fire experiences this week.
One said people living in the homeless encampment in Memorial Park are lighting fires for warmth and using flammables for drug use are putting lives at risk.
Rob Cloutier is the custodian at Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin.
Cloutier said on two occasions this week, he had to ask an unwanted man to leave the basement area of the building and then made a troubling discovery.
“I discovered about a hundred matches burnt," he said. "Wooden matches and just the regular matches … And then we had boxes downstairs and we ended up having to take them and put them in. We were scared that he was going to burn the place down.”
Cloutier said he found a pipe after the man left.
“I don’t know what kind of pipe it was, but I know he must have been trying to burn something that’s why we just asked him to leave, we are just nervous, we are scared,” he said.
He said the incident was reported to police.
Just down the street, businessman and landlord Tony Monteleone said he’s worried about people lighting fires to keep warm in the alcoves and the alley near his building.
“My concern is I have 40 tenants plus guests up in this building," Monteleone said. "My concern is that they are going to burn this beautiful building historic building down.”
Monteleone said he cleans up messes in the alcoves of his building every morning and is extremely worried about the safety of everyone downtown.
“I have four commercial tenants which I am concerned for their businesses and safety," he said. "If something happens in the middle of the night – because this is when they are starting the fires -- it might be too late before the fires are noticed."
Greater Sudbury Police said it doesn't track specific reports of things like loitering, lighting fires and using flammable items.
It said those are not incidents where officers are dispatched.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.