Man injured in Nanaimo encampment fire, Long Lake bluff also torched

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Numerous personal effects were destroyed in this once extensive homeless encampment. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Man injured in Nanaimo encampment fire, Long Lake bluff also torched

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Local residents informed NanaimoNewsNOW that the encampment had been established and occupied since last summer by a lone male, who knocked on a nearby neighbour’s door for help.

An ambulance was called for the man, who was believed to be suffering from breathing issues. 

MacKenzie said their members searched in and around the encampment. 

“They had to go in and do a search to make sure nobody was in the encampment after the fire, but no one was found.” 

A follow-up site visit revealed a decimated encampment, which had been elaborately outfitted with numerous fuel and cooking sources, including stoves and a microwave. 

At least one generator was visible in the encampment, as were several propane tanks. 

A neighbour reported hearing a loud explosion at the time of the fire. 

The unhoused man’s fire-singed socks off Rosstown Rd. following an encampment fire several hours earlier. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Long Lake fire 

On Tuesday evening at around 6:50 p.m., a bush fire on a bluff near the shores of Long Lake was reported. 

Estimated at 60 by 30-feet in size, flames and smoke were seen rising from Lakeview Park, off the end of Cedar Ridge Pl. 

Assistant chief Neil MacKenzie said they had a quick response.

“It was quite visible from the Island Highway across Long Lake, lots of people would have seen it and called it in very quickly.” 

A highly visible Tuesday evening fire sprung on near the shores of Long Lake off Rutherford Rd., near several apartment buildings and a long-term care homes. (Image Credit: Kaida Evans)

A grassy area on a bluff and several surrounding trees were damaged by the fire, which is believed to be human-caused.

MacKenzie said their crews remained on scene for precautionary reasons. 

“In an area like that the fire can get into some deeper areas of the soil and can smoulder, so we like to take time and make sure there’s no flare-ups.” 

MacKenzie said urban interface fires can present widespread safety threats, particularly as the wildfire threat inevitably worsens in the weeks and months ahead. 

He recommended people consult FireSmart BC for helpful tips to protect personal property from risks posed by wildfires.

Fire-damaged bluff on Long Lake following a Tuesday evening brush fire. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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