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UPDATE: Fire at homeless camp leaves one dead

Initial reports to fire crews described the sound of explosions
20816371_web1_copy_200311-SAA-Homeless-camp-fire
Salmon Arm RCMP and fire crews are investigating a fire at a possible homeless camp in Salmon Arm which took place the morning of Thursday, March 5, 2020. (Cameron Thomson - Salmon Arm Observer)

Update:

A fire at a homeless camp discovered Thursday morning has left one person dead.

Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley reports that when fire crews arrived at the scene at the corner of 10th Ave. SW and 17 St. SW at approximately 5 a.m., a shack constructed there was fully engulfed in flame.

Initial reports to the fire crews indicated there may have been someone still inside the structure. After the fire was extinguished a search was conducted and the deceased individual was located.

The scene has been turned over to the RCMP who are continuing the investigation along with the BC Coroners Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Salmon Arm Fire Department’s fire investigator.

More to come.

Original story:

Police are investigating a fire that took place at what appears to be a homeless camp near the Salmon Arm Buckerfield’s store.

The Salmon Arm Fire Department received the call at approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, and arrived on the scene at the corner of 10 Ave SW and 17 St SW.

Both fire and police departments are working to determine if anybody was there at the time of the fire.

Read more: Salmon Arm’s homeless shelter opens, busy immediately

Read more: A population in crisis: homelessness in the Shuswap


@CameronJHT
Cameron.thomson@saobserver.net

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