Fire safety a growing concern in Montreal’s homeless encampments

A man walks past his tent set up on Notre Dame Street in the east end of Montreal on Tuesday, Dec.10, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Fire safety is a major concern in Montreal’s homeless encampments, especially as temperatures drop.

The Montreal Fire Department (SIM) says calls to homeless encampments tend to spike in the winter.

This week, fire prevention agents visited several sites and found propane tanks and other heat sources inside tents.

“The problem with a tent is that it will catch fire very quickly, giving very, very, very little time to the occupants to escape,” said SIM spokesperson Guy Lapointe.

Lapointe says there is also the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

But many people living in the encampments say they don’t have other options. The heat sources keep them warm and allow them to cook.

“I’m supposed to be starve? Or just eat cold food or raw meat?” said one man who lives in an encampment on Notre-Dame street.

On Friday, outreach workers were on the ground, bringing food and checking on the unhoused. Sam Watts, CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission, says the situation reflects deeper problems.

“What you see behind me is a human tragedy, but it’s also a policy failure,” said Watts.

He adds that while the goal is to get people off the streets, not everyone is ready or able to take that step.

To help, Montreal researchers have developed a low-tech stove made from recycled cans.

“It’s to help people who are experiencing homelessness,” said Philippe Terrier, a professor at ETS Montreal.

Terrier explains that the rocks inside the stove store heat, making it safe to bring into a tent after the flame is out.

He is now working with community organizations so they can teach others how to build their own.