Man dead after encampment fire in Toronto

Toronto Fire Services say a man died following a fire at an encampment in the city’s downtown area.

Emergency crews were called to a parkette near Adelaide Street East and Power Street, just east of Parliament Street, at around 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Toronto Fire Services said a tent and a small wooden structure were on fire and firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly.

“When we opened the structure up to search it, we found one male victim inside vital signs absent,” said Dave Denysek, a division commander with Toronto Fire Services.

The man was pronounced dead on scene despite resuscitation attempts, Toronto police said.

“There are fire safety risks associated with these types of structures, with the type of activities and living outside,” Acting Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters at a press conference Wednesday morning.

“Our message has been clear … this type of living arrangement outside is not safe.”

Fire officials said it is too early to tell how the fire started.

Investigators have not yet released the age or identity of the victim.