Dougall Avenue homeless encampment saw 90 fire calls in 2024 [Video]

Every year, Windsor firefighters report to hundreds of fires at homeless encampments across the city, but some stand out with more calls for service than others.

Chief fire prevention officer Mike Coste said the encampment near Dougall and E.C. Row Expressway is one of those frequent locations.

“Behind the ambulance station on Dougall Avenue, I know we’ve responded there over 90 times,” said Coste.

Another location firefighters get called to often is the encampment in the 400 block of Crawford Avenue.Homeless encampment in Windsor, Ont. behind Crawford Avenue on Aug. 1, 2024. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor)

On Aug. 26, Windsor Fire dispatched three fire trucks, one chief, and between 12-14 firefighters for a report of smoke in the 400 block of Crawford Avenue.

“We don’t know if it’s the house is on fire,” said Coste. “We don’t know if it’s the garage on fire. We don’t know if it’s …