One person dead in encampment fire near Toronto’s Liberty Village

A person is dead after an encampment fire in Liberty Village Saturday morning, according to Toronto Fire.

Crews arrived at the scene of the level 1 fire, near Liberty Street and Jefferson Avenue, shortly after 6 a.m., police said.

Initial reports suggested the cell tower was on fire, but during the course of the investigation, crews found a deceased person’s body with debris near the cell tower, Fire chief Matthew Pegg told reporters at the scene.

The blaze ignited after debris on the cell tower’s step caught on fire, spreading to the rest of the structure, Toronto Fire district chief Stephan Powell told the Star.

Four fire trucks responded at the scene and the blaze has since been put out, Powell said, adding that there was no structural damage to the tower.

Police and fire services did not provide any further information about the deceased victim, who was found in a single makeshift shelter at the base of the tower.

Toronto Fire said it appears the victim was temporarily staying in an enclosure underneath the cell tower.

Police crews, the Officer of the Chief Coroner and the fire marshal remained at the scene for investigation.

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