No injuries were reported following a blaze Tuesday night, Jan. 13, at a homeless encampment at the Eugene Field Park annex, 5103 N. Pulaski Road, and it’s not clear how many tents were destroyed.
A propane tank reportedly was found in the area, and a large amount of debris could be seen in the park after firefighters responded and the fire was extinguished. Tent poles remained sticking up in the air in the debris along with several melted park district garbage cans.
A series of fires since last year at tent encampments on Chicago’s Northwest Side at Gompers, Eugene Field and Legion parks has led Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th) to call for the closing of the encampments, as she urges the city to find housing for those living in the parks.
“The encampment fire near Eugene Field is particularly frustrating because it was entirely predictable. These encampments are not safe. They put unhoused residents, neighbors and first responders in danger every single day,” Nugent said in a statement.
She added, “Allowing tents, propane tanks and open flames to remain in parks and public spaces is not compassionate — it’s reckless. We have raised these concerns repeatedly, yet the park department and the mayor’s office continue to let this happen. The city needs to step up, secure appropriate housing and services and close these encampments before someone gets seriously hurt.”…