The roughly 60 people living on Wesley St. are forced to find new homes after a fire Thursday afternoon. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

encampment evacuated

Wesley St. tent encampment closed after fire destroys tents

Dec 3, 2020 | 3:47 PM

NANAIMO — The largest tent encampment in Nanaimo is now closed after a fire.

Between 60 and 100 people who lived on Wesley St. in downtown Nanaimo are forced to find new housing after the large fire on Thursday, Dec. 3.

“Agencies are in the process of decamping the residents, securing the sites and making it safe again,” Tim Doyle, deputy chief of operations with Nanaimo Fire Rescue, told reporters as the scene was being cleared.

“It is hard to find alternatives for the residents. Agencies are mobilizing as we speak and are trying to work together to find opportunities for these people to support them.”

There’s currently 12 beds available at the recently opened St. Peter’s church, according to shelter staff. The beds open at 8:30 p.m.

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Doyle said the City is working with the Nanaimo branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association and Island Health to coordinate where people will go.

Island Crisis Care Society, which operates several housing projects throughout Nanaimo, confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW it’s not currently involved in any discussions about housing.

BC Housing has previously used available hotel spaces to house those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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