Kingston Fire & Rescue and Kingston Police respond to increasing safety concerns in and around Belle Park

Emergency services have responded to increased incidents and safety concerns in the Belle Park area in recent weeks, including a wildfire and propane cylinder explosion on Thursday, May 1. 

Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) has issued multiple Immediate Threat to Life Notices after responding to a number of calls this past week, including excessive combustible materials, unsafe structures and large open-air fires. 

“The explosion on Thursday was significant and could be felt in different parts of the city. We’re very thankful no one was hurt,” says Ted Posadowski, Chief Fire Prevention Officer, KFR. “We’re being called to literally dozens of incidents in public areas, the same spaces where people are cycling or walking their dogs. I can’t state enough: the risk is extremely high.” 

On Monday, April 28, KFR crews responded to a structure fire near the K&P Trail. A combustible structure was ablaze in a wooded area. During this response, several open-air fires were discovered near another combustible structure, along with a homemade wood stove with visible charring around the chimney. KFR fire inspectors removed the structure, propane cylinders, and combustible materials from the property. 

On Thursday, May 1, KFR responded to a large brush fire. Later that day, crews returned to the area in response to reports of a fire and found multiple wildfires in the area. Crews later heard and felt an explosion and located a 30lb propane cylinder approximately one kilometre further into the wooded area. 

City By-Law Enforcement Officers and Kingston Police have also been monitoring the area due to concerns for public safety. While some of the incidents are happening at the area known as Belle Park, owned by the City, others are taking place on private property. 

“It’s the property owner’s responsibility to ensure their property complies with legislative requirements such as the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and take steps such as adding fencing or lighting,” says Const. Anthony Colangeli, Kingston Police. “Police can only enter a property to remove unauthorized individuals if called and given permission by a representative of the property.” 

These persistent and serious unsafe conditions require important resources, with emergency services responding multiple times, and place the safety of responders at risk. Posadowski says with the onset of warmer weather, fire officials have noted a sharp rise in calls to the area of Belle Park and are in the position once again of figuring out how to ensure resources are available for calls to other parts of the city. 

“The safety of all residents and responders is always our main concern,” he says.