Squatters re-occupy fire damaged Walking Bridge

Despite Sunday's Walking Bridge fire, squatters ignored the barricades and occupied the walkway Tuesday morning.  

A construction crew was on the scene early Tuesday morning to make temporary repairs to the Highway 11/17 Walking Bridge which has been closed since squatters set the floor on fire Sunday morning in an attempt to keep warm.  

While workers hired by the Ministry of Transportation did the temporary repair and put a large pylon over the damaged area, a homeless young woman and man sat on a blanket on the floor about 20 meters from where the fire which damaged the floor boards took place. 

"It was not smart, it was immature," the man said about Sunday's fire.  

"We are just trying to keep warm."  

Police say no charges have been laid at this time. 

See related: Squatters responsible for Chippewa Walking Bridge Fire 

Along with garbage left over from squatters, used needles and syringes could also be found on the floor of the walking bridge. 

Also around 9 a.m., a handful of students went across the walking bridge possibly unaware of the apparent walking bridge closure.  

The City of North Bay released a statement regarding the bridge on Monday afternoon. 

"The multi-use pedestrian crossing, which is to be used only as a pedestrian and bicycle path to cross Highway 11/17 at Frost Steet/Meighen Street, has been temporarily closed due to a small fire that occurred inside the structure during the weekend," the release stated.  

"The North Bay Fire and Emergency Services responded and the Ministry of Transportation and the North Bay Police Service have been notified. North Bay Fire and Emergency Services has indicated that two individuals started the fire for warmth. The pedestrian crossing will remain closed until further notice."

However, students could be seen using the walking bridge even while the construction crews fixed the damaged floor. On Monday morning, Chippewa Secondary School informed parents via email and phone that the bridge was temporarily closed. 

BayToday reached out to the MTO for more insight into the repair and a local representative told BayToday they are awaiting direction from MTO headquarters.