The Stratford Fire Department said fires at two homeless encampments that began within 24 hours of each other this week aren’t considered suspicious.
Firefighters responded to the first blaze Sunday at 2:18 a.m. beside the railway tracks off of O’Loane Avenue. Goderich Rail had to be notified since crews needed to access the rail area with a hose to extinguish the fire, deputy fire Chief Chris Van Bargen said.
A second fire was called in Monday at 10:15 p.m. at the green space behind 456 Devon St.
Both fires results in significant damage to contents within the area, Van Bargen said. No occupants were found within the immediate vicinity, but those tracked down later by a City of Stratford bylaw officer were safe, he added.
Van Bargen said the cause of the fires is unknown, but they aren’t believed to be related.
Homelessness is a growing concern across the province, with at least 1,400 encampments in cities and towns across Ontario last year, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. The organization this week said it’s asking the province for guidance on how to handle them.
“While municipalities did not create the homelessness crisis, they are being forced to manage it without the resources or tools to sufficiently respond,” the association wrote. “Municipalities are often caught balancing the important needs of unsheltered people living in encampments, who deserve to be treated with empathy and respect, and a responsibility to ensure our communities are safe and vibrant places for all residents.”
Kim McElroy, Stratford’s director of social services, said the number of homeless encampments in the city is fluid and could go from zero to three overnight. The public is encouraged to call 519-271-3773 ext. 200 to report encampments or anyone “sleeping rough.”
“Our goal us to rapidly rehouse individuals,” McElroy said. “It is so variable, but our encampment response team works diligently.”
The city doesn’t currently have any entrenched encampments, McElroy added. Those willing to engage with social services staff will be rehoused or placed into emergency housing. Staff will keep trying to provide supports to those not wanting to engage, McElroy said.
“We have to know where they are in order to reach out to them.”