Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews quickly dealt with a brush fire at Bowen Park Tuesday morning, suspected to have emanated from a nearby encampment. (Nanaimo Fire Rescue)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

black smoke

Suspected encampment catches fire at Nanaimo’s Bowen Park

Aug 16, 2022 | 11:10 AM

NANAIMO — Black smoke was visible from across much of the city Tuesday morning, stemming from a bush fire inside Bowen Park.

The fire sparked on Tuesday, Aug. 16 just after 10 a.m. toward the northern end of the park, by Bowen Rd. and Wakesiah Ave., just off the main pedestrian route and around 200 metres north of the outdoor pool.

Assistant fire chief David Dales told NanaimoNewsNOW multiple 911 calls, along with City of Nanaimo Parks staff alerted them to the situation.

“There was noticable flames of approximately 10 metres high,” Dales said on scene. “There were some access issues because of the terrain, topography and geography but firefighters were able to deploy a hose line quickly and were able to knock down the fire.”

City bylaw and Nanaimo RCMP officers were also on scene keeping people away and aiding NFR efforts.

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The location of the fire was challenging for crews, with a roughly 130 feet drop from the pathway where an engine parked.

Around 200 feet of hose line was deployed to get water to the source of the flames.

Dales said there were multiple items found on scene which may have triggered the suspected human caused blaze fire.

“There were some propane bottles that exploded during this initial phase of the fire. Firefighters are down there with the fire (investigation) officer and they’re just doing a rough investigation.”

No injuries were reported.

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