Encampment fire near Pearl Street in Sudbury
A small encampment located in a wooded area near Pearl Street in Sudbury was on fire early Friday morning.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services said crews responded to a call around 7:30 a.m.
“It ended up being a tent on fire in an encampment,” said deputy fire chief Nathan Melin.
“There was nobody in attendance in the encampment at the time that we arrived at the fire.”
One man who works nearby but didn’t want to give his name said the situation could have been much worse.
“A lot of times there (are) tents that are within close proximity to each other and with a very dry grass and leaves and trees that are out there right now,” Melin said.
A small encampment located in a wooded area near Pearl Street in Sudbury was on fire early Friday morning.
“A fire, especially ones that are unattended, if they do catch fire, they tend to spread. We can see, as you've seen on TV recently, how fast the fires can spread and get out of control, and then obviously putting life at risk.”
He also said calls to attend encampments have been increasing due to several reasons.
“Over probably the last month, fire services have responded multiple times -- probably seven or eight times -- to encampments throughout the city,” Melin said.
“(Sometimes for) medical calls (but) predominantly open air burning.”
Report any fires
In winter, calls about fires in encampments are due to people trying to stay warm. In summer, Melin said it’s usually individuals trying to cook food.
The public is being reminded that if people have a cause for concern when it comes to any kind of open-air burning, it’s always best to call just in case.
“The biggest thing is that if you see smoke and you think that there is a fire, make that call to 911,” he said.
“We will respond and we will investigate. We would always rather respond … than not get that call at all just because someone's not sure if there is an actual fire going on.”
In December, a homeless man died from a fire inside his tent at an encampment not far from the downtown core. Since then, officials from fire, bylaw and social services have distributed flyers to try to educate people on how to protect themselves.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh convenes caucus in Montreal to plot post-deal path forward
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal, where his MPs are embracing their new-found distance from what one called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 'radioactive' brand.
Judge reserves decision on Hoggard bail attempt as singer seeks SCOC leave to appeal
A justice with Ontario's Appeal Court has reserved her decision on whether Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard should get bail as he tries to appeal his sexual assault conviction at the country's top court.
Canadian fast food chains create value menus to win back customers
Canada’s restaurant industry is in a slump as money conscious consumers are eating out less and spending less when they do go out.
Forgotten Cheetos snack bag can have 'world-changing' impact, U.S. national park says
A U.S. national park is cautioning tourists about how a small bag of Cheetos could have an enormous impact.
As warming threatens polar bear tourism, a Canadian town adapts and thrives
Change has broken, remade and continues to reshape this remote town where tundra meets forest on the shore of Hudson Bay.
'Blown away by your kindness': Meredith Gaudreau thanks Calgary in heartfelt eulogy
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, gave a sincere thank you to Calgary for the outpouring of support for her and the Gaudreau family.
Man accused of setting Ugandan Olympic athlete on fire dies
A man accused of dousing gasoline on an Ugandan Olympic athlete, causing her death days later, has succumbed to burns sustained in the attack, according to the Kenyan hospital where he was treated.