Two people were sent to hospital with injuries after a fire at the homeless encampment at Energy Court on Nov. 11.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell said he’s not sure of the extent of the individuals’ injuries.
He said the incident occurred in the early morning on Tuesday, and involved the use of a propane heater that caused a tent to catch on fire, destroying the structure.
There have been other injuries and even deaths at encampments in Greater Sudbury over the last few years involving incidents where structures have caught fire.
Oshell said the fire department is always working with social services to educate people living in the encampment about “the appropriate use of heating fuel, fired appliances and following manufacturers’ recommendations.”
Sudbury.com also reached out to Ali Farooq, interim executive director of the Go Give Project, which runs a warming centre at Energy Court.
He said he didn’t have any updates on the injured individuals.
Farooq said his staff does try to provide fire safety education to the individuals living in Energy Court, as well as items such as blankets and handwarmers, “anything that doesn’t have to do with flames.”
“But again, not everybody wants those, and some people still do use fire, so the best we can do is try and keep an eye and make sure they're being safe,” he said.
Heidi Ulrichsen is a reporter and assistant editor at Sudbury.com.