Tent torched at Occupy Winnipeg camp

Occupy Winnipeg protesters believe someone targeted their camp in Memorial Park overnight after one of their tents went up in flames.

Fire crews were called to the park, across from the Manitoba legislative building, at about 5:30 a.m. Friday.

The flames were quickly extinguished.

No one was in the tent at the time and there were no injuries.

A small number of tents have been based at the park since Oct. 15, when about 400 people marched through downtown to protest corporate greed and financial inequality.

The camp's population dwindled as the cooler weather and snow set in. There are about 20 tents at the site, but just a handful are actually occupied.

The city of Winnipeg said Friday it will not remove the tents. A spokesperson said the city will respond to emergencies, but noted the location is provincial property.

In an official statement, issued Friday afternoon, the province said they were not planning to ask the group to leave.

"We understand the group has decided to take down vacant tents by tomorrow and has circulated notices in the camp to this effect," the province's statement said. "This is a positive step forward that we agree with.  However, should vacant tents remain and the group is unsuccessful in removing them, the province is prepared to step in."