Tent Fire on Syndicate Avenue North Sends Two to Hospital
Thunder Bay, ON – January 29, 2025: A tent fire in the Kam River Park encampment area has left two individuals hospitalized, marking the second fire incident in a Thunder Bay tent encampment in recent weeks.
Incident Details
🔹 Time & Location: Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to the fire at approximately 4:00 a.m. in the encampment off Simpson Street.
🔹 Extent of Damage: Upon arrival, crews found a tent engulfed in flames. Using a hand line, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.
🔹 Injuries: Two individuals were assessed on-site and transported to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for further medical evaluation. Their current conditions are not known.
🔹 Investigation: Damage was contained to a single tent. The Thunder Bay Police Service is investigating the cause of the fire.
Safety Reminder from Fire Officials
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue is urging residents, particularly those relying on temporary shelters, to use heating sources safely:
- Keep heaters, candles, and open flames away from flammable materials.
- Never leave heating devices unattended.
A Growing Concern
This is the second fire incident in a local encampment, raising concerns about safety in temporary shelters.
There was a fire along McVicars Creek east of Court Street in one of the homeless encampments. The debris from that fire is still in place, a grizzly reminder of the dangers of winters in a tent.
As cold weather persists, individuals living in encampments face increased risks from heating-related fires.
City officials and emergency services continue to explore measures to address the needs of encampment residents while ensuring their safety.
