It's around 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning. A cyclist casually makes his way around the barriers on the Chippewa Walking Bridge and cycles by the charred floorboards.
Next to the fire damage was a black running shoe, three or four cigarette butts, a shopping bag, and some leftover pizza crust in a pizza box.
This is a snapshot of what it is like living in the cold without a home.
The North Bay Fire Department and the North Bay Police Service confirmed the small bridge fire occurred around 8 a.m. Sunday with squatters allegedly trying to stay warm by lighting the wooden floor of a bridge on fire.
"We did respond to a fire in the overpass," said Jason Whiteley, North Bay's Fire Chief.
"Two individuals started a fire for warmth. As there was damage to the pressure-treated flooring, it was our recommendation that public works inspect the condition for safety."
The North Bay Police Service confirmed they are also investigating the incident.
Meantime, Chippewa Secondary School, which was obviously not given any heads up about the closure, sent a message via phone and email to parents about the bridge closure at 9 a.m. Monday morning.
"We have been advised that the overpass bridge is closed at this time," the Chippewa email stated.
"We advise that those who use the bridge find an alternate route to and from school. We apologize for the late notice."
The Ministry of Transportation set up barriers on both entrances to the walking bridge which is an important link for students to access nearby schools like Chippewa Secondary School.
This is not the first time squatters have caused concerns for parents whose children use the bridge. Last February BayToday told you students found squatters sleeping in the tunnel while they walked to school.
See related: Police and parents concerned about Chippewa Walking Bridge squatters
Students also claim they have seen a makeshift fire pit created by squatters earlier this winter as they walked through the walking bridge which had a heavy smell of smoke.
Of note, the incident occurred only 500 meters from the Low Barrier Shelter and the newly opened Warming Centre on Chippewa Street.
BayToday has reached out to the Ministry of Transportation to see how long the bridge is expected to be closed.
