1 dead after encampment fire at cell tower in Liberty Village
Posted January 7, 2023 7:59 am.
Last Updated January 7, 2023 10:46 am.
Toronto police say one person was found dead at the scene of a fire in Liberty Village on Saturday morning.
Police and fire crews responded to reports of a cell phone tower on fire just after 6 a.m. in the Liberty Street and Jefferson Avenue area.
Fire Capt. Bill Papakonstantinou said emergency crews arrived and extinguished the blaze before discovering an encampment in the area.
One person was found dead right at the base of the fire, he said.
“It appears that the person was underneath the tower, whether they’re living there or temporarily situated there,” said Papakonstantinou.
“There seems to be some kind of temporary enclosure in the area so it looks as if the person was there.”
Fire Chief Matthew Pegg added there is some evidence of “heat impingement” on the nearby cell tower but no indication of significant damage.
He offered his condolences and said a “mutli-faceted and comprehensive” investigation is underway and it will take a considerable amount of time.
With files from The Canadian Press
