Fire at Winnipeg homeless encampment sparks safety concerns for neighbours

A fire in a homeless encampment Tuesday morning has left residents of the Centennial neighbourhood on edge. Jeff Keele reports.

Homeowners are on edge following an early morning fire at a Centennial neighbourhood homeless encampment.

Alan Chorney’s home backs onto the site. He captured video of the fire, showing flames and lights from fire trucks on the other side of his backyard fence.

Chorney said he’s been warning this could happen.

“I was like, ‘This is kind of a bit of a tinderbox,’ and I was really worried that it would go up in flames,” said Chorney.

Chorney said not long ago he noticed what appeared to be a heating system installed in one of the structures. Around 5:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, he was startled from his sleep.

Flames could be seen from the camp at Pacific Avenue and Ellen Street.

“I kind of heard a pop, pop, pop,” said Chorney. “I heard some traffic just honking and honking so I got up and looked out my back window and the whole area was just in flames and blazed.”

Still, Chorney said he and his neighbours have safety concerns being so close to the tents, and they go beyond just fire. His neighbours won’t let their kids play outside.

“There are needles around, and you know, human waste around, so those are also concerns, (as well as) bike chop shops,” said Chorney.

He’s contacted the city about the camp and feels nothing has been done.

Main Street Project, an organization tasked by the city to do outreach work and help find people shelter, was on scene Tuesday. The province is housing people through the Your Way Home strategy.

This month a city ban is set to begin, prohibiting encampments from being 50 metres from schools, daycares, pools, and playgrounds.

A long-term solution for this site could be coming. In February, city council agreed to sell the lot at Pacific and Ellen for $1.00 so affordable housing can rise there.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said no injuries were reported.

In a statement to CTV News, a city spokesperson said this location would be considered a priority site under the updated encampment policy.

“It is an outdoor facility designed for children and families,” the statement reads.

The spokesperson said the city intends to work with its partners and outreach providers to refine its procedures. The goal, according to the spokesperson, is to give those living in these encampments “reasonable notice about planned enforcement.”

“We will inform them that camping is not permitted at these locations while working with service providers to notify them of shelter options,” the spokesperson said in the statement.

The spokesperson also urged people to let the city do its work.

“We also want to remind Winnipeggers that enforcement activities are the sole responsibility of authorized City staff,” the statement reads. “Any independent or unauthorized actions by members of the public toward individuals living in encampments will not be tolerated.”