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Fires in Forgotten Buildings
Description
Birmingham firefighters are racing to extinguish fires in abandoned buildings where homeless people are surviving — often lighting fires for warmth that spiral out of control. One recent call sent crews underground through graffiti-covered tunnels, revealing a tent, clothes, and a heartbreaking message: “I just want to belong.” Since squatting was criminalized in 2012, people have moved into more dangerous, hidden spaces. Veteran firefighter Joe Poynton, who documents these crises on Substack, says winter brings a surge of fires — sometimes multiple times a month — as people cling to survival in forgotten places. This isn’t just about fires — it’s a glaring symptom of a deeper societal crisis demanding urgent solutions.
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