Fire at NW Side homeless encampment renews calls by alderman for city to ‘step up’ and close it down before ‘someone gets hurt’

by BRIAN NADIG

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.”

City officials announced last fall that the encampment at Legion, 3103 W. Peterson Ave., would be removed during the first quarter of 2026 and that housing opportunities would be provided to those living there. No such plans were announced for Eugene Field, and the encampment at Gompers was shut down last year due to the planned construction at the park.

Some housing advocates have testified at park commissioner board meetings that it is inhumane to close the encampments and that tents should be welcomed back at Gompers, 4222 W. Foster Ave., once the construction is completed on the park’s south end.

Some residents have testified that the encampments pose safety and health threats due to the fires and other problems.

Recently, two men who reportedly have lived at area encampments were ordered to stay away from Eugene Field and Gompers as part of their probation, according to court documents. One of the men was arrested in connection with an altercation involving a knife, while the other was accused of possessing drugs and replica firearms.

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