‘We don’t know what we’re walking into’: Fire crews encounter exploding propane tanks in encampment fire

London fire crews navigated a hard-to-reach fire deep in the woods at Watson Park. CTV London's Bryan Bicknell reports.

London fire crews battled heavy woods, darkness, and propane tank explosions as they responded to a fire Sunday night at a homeless encampment along the Thames riverbank.

It took place at a site on the south side of the Thames, east of Wellington Street, and about 500 metres in from the road, which is under construction.

City officials say three people were displaced.

Neighbour Lisa Martin, who lives on Grand Avenue near the site of the fire, said she worries about those living in the nearby woods inside Watson Park where the fire took place.

“We do see quite a few people trekking up and down the road, and I’ve had a few people stop off to ask if they could have some food or something, so we’ve fed them. And we’ve also – in the fall time they would come asking for our bag of leaves so that they could cover up and be warmer in the winter,” Martin said.

On Monday, a work crew cleaned debris from the site, including firewood, cooking materials, plastic, and other garbage. They also cleared several charred propane tanks from the site, placing them into a utility trailer to be disposed of.

“We don’t know what we’re walking in to,” said London Fire Department (LFD) Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger.

The fire department said crews responded around 9:00 p.m. Sunday. What they found was a hard to reach, dangerous situation, according to Mosburger.

“Many different hazards, including many propane tanks that were involved with the fire. I am aware of one explosion that occurred prior to our arrival while we were setting up for fire attack. Along with, there were four other additional propane tanks I believe that were on fire at some point,” Mosburger explained.

A village unto itself, Watson Park is one of the more populated sites, with numerous encampments scattered throughout the city park.

Neighbour Dave Crocker said he’s glad fire crews managed to get to the fire, given the remote location.

“You know if they catch into the woods, you don’t have any idea how far that’s going to burn. You know it could burn a house or two houses down. You know, that’s if the firetrucks can’t reach it,” said Crocker.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Police say it has been deemed suspicious.

A 54-year-old man has been charged with failing to comply with a release order.