SITUATION HEATING UP

U of T not pleased as fire burns in ‘Little Gaza’ commune

There’s no mistaking the smell of a campfire, even if there are efforts to shield it from view.

Some things are hard to hide.

The smell of burning wood, a pile of firewood and the flames inside a small backyard style fire kettle are examples of that. Yes, there is a fire burning inside the commune dubbed “Little Gaza” on campus of the University of Toronto.

And yes, that was protesters bringing in firewood a week ago Tuesday and stacking enough of it on campus to keep a fire going for days. It doesn’t appear that the “pro Palestine” campers were given permission or a permit from the university, City of Toronto or Toronto Fire.

And U of T administrators don’t seem to pleased about it.

Sandy Welsh, vice provost, students, and Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice president, people strategy, equity and culture, issued the following statement:

“The university has serious concerns regarding the health and safety of its community in the context of the encampment.”

After a record year of forest fires, any open flame is a risk and potentially dangerous.

City spokesman Shane Gerard provided guidelines, which state: “Open-air burning includes bonfires, fire pits, sky lanterns and the use of various types of outdoor fireplaces. Although outdoor fireplaces can be purchased at retail outlets throughout the city, it does not mean open-air burning is permitted for their use “and in fact, “open –air burning is not permitted” without permit.

Ontario Fire Code 2.4, 4.4 states under a section entitled “Open – air Burn Permit & Culture Fire Authorization” that there are “rare occasions” where permits are “approved,” but “prior to issuance of permits Toronto Fire Services will conduct a site inspection.”

There has been no indication that has happened. But no rules are being followed in any category. Despite the spin, it isn’t peaceful there.

In addition to the campfire, there are many signs calling “intefadeh” and there is still a bizarre border checkpoint where people line up to see if they meet entry requirements.

The camp is growing, and its occupants are building  up their fortifications and seem to be more hostile.

It’s also getting more difficult to look inside since, thanks to the tarps that occupants put over fencing – originally erected to keep occupiers out – which shields sections of the new exclusive community form view. That included the campfire.

Those inside the encampment have gone to great lengths to shield the fire from anyone wishing to photograph it.

Journalist and lawyer Caryma S’ad and her videographer – fending off efforts from protesters trying to stop them – captured footage  of people inside the compound fanning flames with tarps, creating smoke near tents. This dangerous activity is a public safety threat and lays the grounds for Toronto Police and Toronto Fire to immediately move in there and remove all fences, tents and put out all fires.

But it’s there. And U of T knows it.

Welsh and Hannah-Moffat said they saw “large piles of firewood inside the fenced off encampment area, blocked and reinforced egress points, which are needed to provide safe exit in case of fire and medical