Smoke was visible in the sky above vacant land east of Tupper Street in Hawkesbury on Monday, July 8. According to Acting Hawkesbury Fire Chief Julien Boisvenue, the afternoon vehicle fire occurred on vacant private property immediately behind the industrial area on Tupper Street. Firefighters extinguished the fire and there were no injuries. The fire department forwarded the situation to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
According to the OPP, no charges were laid. Police treated the fire as an isolated incident and there was no risk to greater public safety.
A social media rumour contended that the fire was at a campsite where homeless individuals were living, but police did not confirm if the fire occurred at such a place.
The OPP do not have exact numbers indicating how many homeless campsites are located in the Town of Hawkesbury, but assured that officers patrol all corners of town, including parks, walkways, school grounds, and residential areas. Police also know many of the homeless people on a first-name basis.
