‘Devastation’ left after fire at tent encampment

Chrysta Garner says sharp bangs were followed by screams as a tent encampment fire began Tuesday afternoon.

Around 12:40 p.m., Regina Fire and Protective Services arrived at the scene of the fire on the 1800 block of Halifax Street.

Garner, the development co-ordinator at Carmichael Outreach, said the building’s caretaker was outside the building when the fire broke out in a nearby vacant lot. The caretaker messaged another staff member to call 9-1-1.

Outside, a huge plume of smoke could be seen emanating from the vacant lot where the encampment was set up. Carmichael Outreach went into lockdown to make sure everyone in the building stayed safe, while some people were let in who needed to seek help after the fire.

“A lot of people were really scared because it was very noisy,” Garner said Wednesday. “There was multiple propane tanks that were going off. It was very loud.

“There was some children in the area, and they were quite distraught. Everyone in the area was quite distraught.”

In a statement, Regina Fire and Protective Services said the cause of the fire was misuse of an open flame device.

Garner explained that propane heat is often used by the homeless to keep warm. She thinks the sharp bangs were propane tanks exploding.

“Fire is bound to happen,” she said. “When you are living in a tent and you’re considering that your home and blankets aren’t enough to keep you warm at night, you have to go with propane heat.”

In a social media post, Regina Fire and Protective Services said one person was seriously injured in the fire. Fire crews gave the person care before EMS took them to the hospital. An update on their condition wasn’t available.

The devastation left after a fire at a tent encampment Tuesday on Halifax Street. The blaze sent one person to hospital. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Fire hazards were the reason that an encampment in front of Regina City Hall was ordered to be decommissioned by Regina Fire and Protective Services in late July.

That camp was set up in June as a way to raise awareness about homelessness in Regina.

Many people were shook up after the fire was doused Tuesday. Some came to the doors of Carmichael Outreach for help to replace their supplies.

“We offered for them to come in, have a shower and get cleaned up because you could smell the smoke on them; you could smell the fire,” said Garner.

As Garner was leaving work Tuesday evening, many people were trying to salvage whatever items they could that had been damaged by the flames, smoke and water.

“It’s just devastation; that’s all I can say,” Garner said. “There’s not much left.”

There were around 20 people living in the area full time, but that number could fluctuate to around 40 people depending on visitors in the area.

On Wednesday morning, Garner said there was nobody left at the encampment on the lot.

Carmichael Outreach has co-ordinated with other organizations to gather tarps, tents, blankets and hot meals for those who show up on their doorstep.