Two people have died after a fire at a tent encampment in Saint John, according to police.
First responders were called to Paradise Row near Somerset Street around 3:40 p.m. Monday.
“After the fire was extinguished, two individuals were located deceased,” police said in a news release Monday evening.
Officers are still working to identify them so their next of kin can be notified, said the release.
Photos sent to our newsroom showed fire and heavy black smoke coming from the scene.
One listener said the fire was extinguished quickly but that one tent appeared to be destroyed.
The Saint John Police Force and Saint John Fire Department continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
A platoon chief with the Saint John Fire Department confirmed that his crews responded to the scene, however, he directed all other inquiries to the Saint John Police Force
Investigators are appealing for witnesses or anyone in the area who has video footage or surveillance before, during, or after the fire occurred.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Saint John Police Force at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
This is the second fatal fire at a tent encampment in Saint John this winter. Peter ‘Evan’ MacArthur died after flames broke out at an encampment on Jan. 6.
Meanwhile, there was also a fire at an encampment between Waterloo and Exmouth streets on Feb. 18. No one was hurt in that fire, which police believe was deliberately set.
