SEATTLE -- A blazing fire broke out over the weekend at a Ballard homeless encampment, a site already grappling with violence and criminal activity, according to area residents.

No injuries were reported during the blaze, which occurred Saturday at Ballard Commons Park. The cause of the fire was pending but witnesses described hearing an explosion and a popping noise that sounded like ammunition before the flames were seen coming from a container.

Residents and community activists say it's time for Seattle City Hall to do something.

“After last night's violent explosions and fire, the city's continued inaction is absolutely an epic failure,” said Mike Stewart, executive director of the Ballard Alliance, a booster group for the area.

In August, a shooting and several violent assaults were reported at the site, which has prompted calls by the alliance to city officials to address the needs of the unsheltered while also preserving community safety.

“To date, the only thing that we have heard from the city is that Ballard Commons Park is a priority,” Stewart said.

So far this year, there have been more than 890 encampment fires reported in Seattle just this year – a record jump.

“The fact (is) this is the second fire I've seen in the month of September alone,” said a man named Wyatt whose job is located across from the encampment site. He said he has taken safety into his own hands after he was the victim of an attempted armed robbery. “So I started taking concealed carry self-defense courses.”

Wyatt obtained a license to carry a gun. He now hopes to see children and families return to Ballard Commons but said the city should work to contain the violence before someone’s life is lost.

“I want that to happen so badly but I’ve lost faith in the city government,” he said.

The city has said Ballard Commons Park is on their priority list to have the camp dismantled but there has been no removal date given because of shelter availability.