Residents of a Chatham encampment were unhurt when a fire broke out Wednesday afternoon.
Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue (CKFR) responded to a tent fire just after 3 p.m. at the encampment on Thames Street and quickly extinguished the blaze.
"Within minutes of arriving at the scene, firefighters swiftly evacuated propane tanks from the vicinity and extinguished the flames," fire officials said in a release.
"Diligent efforts have been made by community partners to reduce the presence of combustibles in the area," the release continued. Adding that the CKFR Prevention and Community Safety departments, CK police, and CK Housing Services were at the encampment a few weeks ago to make sure there was adequate space between the tents.
Despite the presence of flammable materials, the cause of Wednesday afternoon's fire hasn't been determined.
Fire officials are reminding all Chatham-Kent residents to ensure safe use of propane heaters, never use outdoor heaters indoors, ensure proper ventilation, keep heaters away from flammable materials, and always follow manufacturer instructions.
