Published March 20, 2024

Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

An investigation is underway by the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau after a trailer caught fire in the early hours of March 18 at the encampment known as Tent City near Le Gîte Ami.

Police officers were called to the area to tend to a disturbance call shortly after 5:30 am. While on the scene, officers noticed smoke escaping from a nearby trailer and immediately called for the Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau.

According to a media release from the Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau, the firefighters’ rapid intervention limited the damage to the trailer involved and suppressed the fire from spreading to other trailers or tents. The damages were estimated at $7,500.

Firefighters faced the risk of an explosion due to several propane bottles located in the trailer and nearby.

Public relations agent for Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau Patrick Kenney said the perimeter around the scene was lifted the following day. No arrests were made; however, Kenney said an investigation was ongoing to identify whether the incident was intentional or accidental.

While this was the first time a fire broke out in the encampment in 2024, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau has tended to the scene in June, October, and November of last year for fire-related incidents.

Kenney said anyone with information about the incident can contact the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau’s information line at 819-243-4636, extension 5.

Photo caption: The Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau was called to Tent City on March 18 to tend to a fire that broke out in a trailer early in the morning.

Photo credit: Mario Aubé Facebook

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