Fire at Rainbow Park, Thursday, September 19, 2024. Photo by Sam Colbourne. Fire at Rainbow Park, Thursday, September 19, 2024. Photo by Sam Colbourne.
Sarnia

Tent ignites at homeless encampment

No injuries were reported in a fire Thursday evening at Rainbow Park.

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing into the air at around 6:45 p.m. coming from the homeless encampment.

Sarnia Fire and Rescue Fire Prevention Officer Roel Bus said crews responded to a heavily involved tent fire, but were able to knock down the flames quickly, preventing the blaze from spreading to more tents.

"The report says it was one tent and personal belongings," said Bus. "No one was around to claim the belongings and nobody was there to say this is my stuff and what happened."

The cause of the blaze was not determined.

Bus said since early March, Sarnia Fire and Rescue has responded to 63 calls at Rainbow Park.

"Between open burning or burning calls and overdose or medical assists, those are the calls," he said.

With files from Melanie Irwin

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