Fire at Maple Ridge homeless camp destroys tents, structures

Maple Ridge first responders were called to another fire at a homeless campovernight.

Residents said it's the second fire at the Anita Place camp this week, since officials with theCity of Maple Ridge seized propane tanks, heaters and barbecues last weekend as part of a court injunction.

The fire reportedly started in a tent around 2a.m. PT Friday, before spreadingto some other structures near the back of the camp on 222nd Street.

Ted Hajdu, whoworks regularly with people at the camp, was at the scene after the fire was contained. He said these fires are often a result of people trying to stay warm without the sources of heat that were recently seized.

'They have to resort to setting fires'

"These people won't have any measure of staying warm they won't let them have electricity," Hajdu said.

"They have to resort to setting fires in the warming tent to stay warm. That's not right."

The camp was raided over the weekend by city officials saying there were several fire hazards in the camp.

RCMP say they don't believe anyone was injured in this latest fire but they are searching for one resident who was believed to be living in the tent where the fire started.

The exact cause is under investigation.