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Investigators have determined that two recent fires at a homeless encampment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were intentionally set. The fires occurred on Thursday night (September 11) and early Saturday morning (September 13) at the encampment located on South Front Street. According to ABC27, Fire Chief Brian Enterline confirmed the fires were deliberate but provided no details about a suspect.
The encampment, known as "Tent City," is home to approximately 20 people. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the areas affected by the fires were unoccupied at the time. Fire crews quickly contained the blazes, with PennLive reporting that the proximity to the road helped crews respond efficiently.
Residents of the encampment have been notified they must vacate the area by September 22 to make way for a PennDOT construction project. A local nonprofit has secured a new location off Cameron Street to accommodate those displaced. Despite these efforts, some residents have expressed reluctance to leave the encampment.