People living in encampments told not to light fires as weather turns cold
Deputy fire chief says the dangers of uncontrolled fires are too great
With winter fast approaching and the weather hitting subzero temperatures at night, some people living rough in London, Ont., are turning to fires to keep warm overnight.
But firefighters warn those fires can be dangerous and could lead to fines.
London Fire said that each year at this time, there are more reports of open fires in encampments and empty buildings around the city.
"We understand people are trying to stay warm, but if we have random fires throughout the city, that could lead to some very significant, uncontrolled fires," said Deputy Chief Matt Hepditch. "We have to make sure that we prevent those from happening as well."
Earlier this year, Olivia Clark died after the tarp she had been sleeping in with some friends on the sidewalk in front of the Ark Aid Mission caught fire. She suffered severe burns to nearly half her body.
Hepditch added that nobody is allowed to start fires — even for warmth — in parks or encampments unless they have special approval from the deputy city manager.
Complaints are investigated by a fire crew, and those found violating the open burning bylaw can be fined between $100 and $5,000 for a first offence. For each additional violation, they could be charged a "violation fee" of $245.25 and be hit with more fines that start at $500, according to the city's website and bylaws.
It's already getting too cold overnight for tents and there isn't enough room at shelters for everyone who needs a bed, said Marshall Buckingham, who lives in an encampment near the Thames River.
"We got some stuff ready for the cold weather but we aren't allowed fires, so that's out the window," Buckingham said
Londoner Amanda Doupe has been homeless three years and lives in an adjacent encampment. She said despite sharing her tent with her boyfriend and dog, it's sometimes impossible to keep warm.
"There's one man in my encampment who just has a sleeping bag and he's always cold," Doupe said.
She added that if it gets too cold, warming up with a fire is a risk they may have to take.
City still working on what they're doing this winter
On Tuesday, city council will discuss the next step in the city's cold weather response plan.
At the last council meeting, on Nov. 7, they agreed to provide $2.16 million to six local agencies — 519 Pursuit, Ark Aid Street Mission, CMHA London Coffee House, London Cares, Safe Space London and the Salvation Army Centre of Hope.
Ark Aid Street Mission has asked council to increase their number of overnight beds from 30 to 120 this winter, said executive director Sarah Campbell.
"Regardless, we've been working on our plan since June," she said. "We're ready to operate the beds, trusting that whether we get funding or have to rely on community donations, we will be able to provide those [30] spaces at least," Campbell said.
Those 30 overnight beds are available starting Monday, and if the extra funding is approved, the additional 90 could be ready starting mid-December.
The non-profit 519 Pursuit, which distributes food and clothing to Londoners who sleep outside, hopes to add tents and heating packs as handouts during the winter — something they have done in the past, said group co-founder Allison DeBlaire.
Officials estimate the number of people living on London's streets has gone from 966 to 2,000 since 2020.
LISTEN | It's cold out now. Why is London's winter homeless plan not ready?
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