A 44-year-old man who died following a weekend fire at a Saint John tent encampment is being mourned.
Johanne McCullough said she was heartbroken to learn of the death of the man, who police identified on Monday as Peter McArthur.
McCullough is the founder of Street Team SJ, a volunteer group that supports those who are dealing with homelessness.
“We all were very fond of him. We’ve been working with him for the past year-and-a-half now. He’s going to be terribly missed by our team,” McCullough said in an interview on Monday.
Fire crews were dispatched to the encampment near the Main Street Viaduct at the Route 1 westbound on-ramp just before 8 p.m. Saturday.
Platoon Chief Ed Moyer told our newsroom that one man was found with serious burn injuries and was transported to the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Police said the victim, who was transferred out of the province for further medical treatment, died from his injuries on Sunday.
“This was a tragedy just waiting to happen,” said McCullough, who said those living rough do whatever they can to try and stay warm during cold weather.
“They’re using candles and fuel type of heaters to stay warm. The tents are highly flammable, any kind of shelter they’re in is cobbled together with things that are flammable.”
Several other people were treated at the scene by first responders for less serious injuries. Once emergency crews left the scene, McCullough said her team immediately went to work and offered support to them.
The group of volunteers is currently collecting donations to help buy tents that are better suited for winter weather.
According to the Human Development Council, Saint John saw 234 people experiencing homelessness in December.
Two-thirds of those were considered chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for at least six months over the past year or 18 months over the past three years.
McCullough said there needs to be more support for people living rough until they can get a permanent roof over their heads.
“People need to have access to a designated place where they can go to get services, get rid of garbage, use washrooms, take showers, do laundry. Basic things everyone needs,” she said.
The province recently opened an overnight emergency shelter on Somerset Street, which can sleep up to 40 people.
But McCullough said there are not nearly enough beds to support the number of people living rough in the city.
“Not everybody wants to go to the shelter for one reason or another,” she said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, anyone looking to make a contribution to Street Team SJ can send an e-transfer to streetteamsj@gmail.com.
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