Several tents destroyed by fire at Halifax-area homeless encampment

Fire destroyed several tents early in the morning at a Halifax-area encampment for homeless people.

A spokesman for Halifax Fire and Emergency says there were no injuries after the fire broke out at 6:19 a.m. near Green Road Park in suburban Dartmouth.

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Jim Stymiest, assistant chief of operations, says it remains unclear what caused the fire, which was quickly extinguished by 14 firefighters.

He says firefighters at the scene could hear small explosions, which were likely caused by propane canisters used for heating.

Stymiest says firefighters had to use long hoses to reach the site, where some trees were scorched by the burning tents.

He says there were no witnesses at the encampment when firefighters arrived.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2024.