Cause of fire at homeless encampment in downtown Kitchener undetermined, officials say
10 people were displaced as a result, said public information officer with Kitchener Fire Tom O'Hara
Fire prevention officers with the Kitchener Fire Department have not determined the cause of a fire at the homeless encampment at Victoria and Weber in Kitchener.
"There was too many ignition sources and too much damage to ascertain that certainty, so we're listing it as undetermined," Tom O'Hara, public information officer with Kitchener Fire Department told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.
"Because there was no personal injury and no death, just property damage, they are going to leave it as undetermined."
Emergency crews responded to the fire Tuesday morning. Waterloo regional police said they received multiple reports of a fire at 9:20 a.m.
The fire was put out as of 10:15 a.m. and no one was injured. O'Hara said 10 people were displaced as a result of the fire.
"Their tents or living quarters in that area were destroyed," he said.
Nikki Britton, a social worker with the Working Centre's specialized outreach services told CBC News Tuesday they would be providing people at the encampment with supports like food hampers, tents and tarps.
"We'll continue to be available onsite as often as we can to check in around people's needs and how we can respond," she said.