ST. PAUL, Minn. — Two separate ones fires in homeless camps in the Twin Cities are raising concerns as temperatures reach record lows.
People living in camps are forced to light makeshift stoves to survive the cold or try to hole up in crowded shelters. That has led advocates to look for solutions.
As temperatures continue to drop each day, minimum temperatures will soon drop below freezing.
On Wednesday evening, firefighters responded under the Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul to a fire partially ignited by propane tanks.
People who work in relief and advocacy say they are doing everything they can to keep people safe and warm this time of year, but say this bitter cold is not helping anyone or anything.
“Our lobby is packed, so we have a severe weather protocol,” Isaac Lee, director of emergency services for Union Gospel Mission.
Lee does everything he can to provide shelter.
“It is definitely a challenge for me and my staff to accommodate the increased number of people coming through the doors, but we are relieved that they are finding shelter,” Lee said. “We’ve seen an increased number of frostbites. We always call 911 because there’s someone on the ground who can’t feel their toes. It’s really sad to see, but we’re ready.”
Their official capacity per evening is 190. On some evenings the capacity is even higher.
A number of warming sites around the province are trying to ease the burden, but they now say they’re relying on donations of warm-weather gear and volunteers to lend a hand.
Adam Duxter
