2 arrested during protest at Hamilton's J.C. Beemer Park after fire destroys tents

Two people were arrested during a protest trying to stop evictions at an encampment in Hamilton's J.C. Beemer Park on Wednesday after tents and possessions belonging to several people were destroyed by a fire.

People living in the park were woken up around 6 a.m. by a fire that "devastatingly destroyed the homes and belongings" of several people, said Vic Wojciechowska, a member of the Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HESN).

Members of the network rallied in the park Wednesday afternoon, chanting and calling for police and bylaw officers not to evict the encampment residents who remained.

A 33-year-old man was charged with obstructing police and a 27-year-old woman was charged with assaulting a police officer, according to a media release from Hamilton Police Service.

Explosions cause safety concerns, say police

Police and fire fighters were called to the park just before 6 a.m. and found several tents engulfed in flames shooting 15-20 feet in the air, said police.

Investigators said there were "several explosions" caused by propane tanks and generators.

Emergency crews pulled people from nearby tents before the fire spread and no injuries were reported.

The fire was not criminal, said Const. Krista-Lee Ernst.

"We are working diligently with those who were affected," she added.

Members of the social navigator program, which includes police and paramedics who work with vulnerable populations, had relocated the "majority" of those who affected by the fire, said police, adding six people had secured shelter.

HESN pushes for permanent housing

But Wojciechowska said the options that were offered were beds at a crisis centre or in hotels.

"No real permanent housing options [were] offered," they said, adding the encampment residents had not been "given any sort of timeline or idea for how long these options would be available to them."

HESN said eviction notices had also been issued to everyone staying in the park.

"There are still several encampment residents here whose homes and belongings are still in tact and in perfect shape," said Wojciechowska.

They called for the encampment residents to have more time to take stock of their belongings and figure out next steps.

"They're still processing the events of the morning … it's obviously very traumatic to wake up to a huge fire."

Police said they found propane tanks near the area that burned, which "pose a risk to those sleeping rough as well as surrounding residents." A hydro line was also damaged. Conditions in the park are "unsafe," stated the release.

Sarah Jama, another member of HESN, said while some encampment residents have left others want to stay in the park.

"We're very concerned about the ones who were staying," she said.

City says fire created 'health and safety concerns'

In a statement to CBC, city spokesperson Michelle Shantz said enforcement at encampments happens after members of the housing team have met with residents and told them about their options.

The fire created "health and safety concerns" for those in the encampment and others living nearby, she added.

Shantz said she could not provide a specific number for the people being evicted at the park as the situation is "fluid."

Encampments have been a subject of much debate in Hamilton in recent months.

Groups, including HESN, have pushed for tents not to be torn down because of a lack of shelter space and affordable housing. 

Homeowners near encampments, meanwhile, have raised concerns about drug use and safety.

An attempt by the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic to secure an injunction stopping the city from tearing down tents failed, with the judge ruling earlier this month that the city could enforce its bylaw against encampments in public park.

"Taking away tents is not going to reduce or eliminate homelessness," legal clinic lawyer Sharon Crowe told the court during the hearing. "The only thing it will achieve is to make an already vulnerable group even more vulnerable."

In a statement issued after the ruling, the city said it would return to enforcing its bylaw.

"The city enforcement approach will continue take into consideration the safety and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as the broader community needs, including access to green space for safe outdoor recreation," it read.