Fire crews in Campbell River were back at Nunns Creek Park, battling fires sparked at the homeless encampments within.
At around 8:45 am today (Thursday), Campbell River fire chief Thomas Doherty says firefighters were called to the park to extinguish a reported blaze.
And once on scene, Doherty says they actually stumbled across a second fire.
“While we were there, we discovered another fire farther back in the bush in relation to the homeless population,” he tells My Campbell River Now.
According to Doherty, no injuries were reported and both fires were put out fairly quickly. They were smaller in size, with the first in a “makeshift camp” area surrounded by wood structures. “It wasn’t a big area,” Doherty explains.
As for the second blaze, people were reportedly using it as a campfire. And with a campfire ban still in effect and fines issued to those who don’t oblige, Doherty finds cases like these aren’t necessarily easy. When it comes to fines, he says “recouping that cost is something that can be a bit of a challenge.”
Meanwhile, less than a day prior, the Campbell River Fire Department was called to a mobile home fire on Homewood Rd.
At around 2:00 pm yesterday, the home’s attached deck caught ablaze. While no one was home at the time, Doherty says a nearby neighbour came to the rescue before crews arrived, helping knock down the flames with a garden hose.
Doherty adds, “Crews did spend some time just to overhaul in the area, to make sure it didn’t extend into the trailer at all.” He says no injuries were reported.
Quick action by a neighbor and rapid response by Firefighters save mobile home from fire this afternoon on Homewood Rd. Fire was contained to the exterior deck. No injuries.
— Campbell River Fire (@RiverCityFire) September 2, 2021
