By The Canadian Press/ Global B.C.

Fire at Maple Ridge homeless camp raises concerns

Mar 1, 2019 | 6:41 AM

MAPLE RIDGE — For the third time in a week, flames have broken out at a tent encampment in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
    First responders were called early Friday morning to the Anita Place homeless camp.
    A large area at the rear of the nearly two-year-old camp is believed to have burned and crews spent several hours dousing the fire and sifting through charred debris.
    There is no word of any injuries and the cause is under investigation.
    Maple Ridge fire department and bylaw officials, supported by the RCMP, entered Anita Place last weekend to enforce a B.C. Supreme Court injunction allowing removal of propane-fuelled heaters and stoves considered a fire hazard.
    Six arrests were made but Pivot Legal Society, which represents the campers, alleges the injunction was contravened when city officials and Mounties cut heat to a warming tent and kept health care and services providers from entering the camp.

Residents of the area say they’re increasingly concerned about the situation. There’s a daycare, doctor’s offices, homes and apartments nearby, and the increasing problems have residents worried about a much larger situation.