No evidence that hundreds of encampment fires are ‘connected’: Chief Pegg

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg says there’s no evidence at this point that a rash of homeless encampment fires in Toronto this year are connected.

During an update Wednesday, Pegg said fire crews have responded to a staggering 241 encampment fires so far this year — a 243 per cent increase over last year.

When asked if there’s any evidence that the fires could be deliberately set, Pegg said at this point “there’s no indication that any of these fires are connected” but many are still under investigation.

The latest blaze broke out at an encampment in the Fort York area on Tuesday night.

Toronto Fire Services responded to a park at Lake Shore and Fort York boulevards around 9:45 p.m.

Residents in the area reported a large fire with tall flames and billowing black smoke along with the sound of explosions.

Fire crews were able to douse the flames quickly.

Pegg said the cause of the fire remains under investigation by both Toronto Fire and police.

The City later revealed that one person was injured, but no further details were provided.

RELATED: Large fire, sound of explosions in encampment at Fort York area park

The Fort York fire is the 10th encampment fire since December 11, Pegg added.

Mayor John Tory stressed that the City is doing its best to balance public safety, with the needs of vulnerable people, saying it takes a “sensitive and sensible” approach.

“They (encampments) are not safe, they are not heathy, and they are not legal but we are doing it in a sensitive way … to try and offer as many options as possible.”

Tory said the City has housed 1,100 people previously living in encampments since the start of the pandemic.

Everyone affected by Tuesday’s fire at Fort York has accepted temporary indoor housing, the City said.

“The City’s Streets to Homes outreach team was onsite at the Fort York encampment site and offered everyone safer inside spaces. Everyone accepted and, as of this morning, no one was left sleeping outside at the site.”