Body found in South Okanagan pickup truck fire

OSOYOOS – The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating the death of a man found in the burned out remains of a pickup truck in Osoyoos.

Osoyoos RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Jason Bayda said in a press release issued today, Nov. 15, police and fire crews were called to a fully engulfed Chevrolet S10 pickup truck parked at a Nighthawk Drive residence at around 1:42 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Members of the Osoyoos Fire Department were also on scene and were able to extinguish the blaze before it could spread to another vehicle and a nearby house, Bayda said. A woman living in the house was evacuated for a short time.

Once the pickup fire was extinguished, human remains were discovered in the back seat.

"The Osoyoos RCMP are aware a 54-year-old homeless male did use this pickup truck to sleep in on a friend’s driveway and had been doing so for several months," Bayda said.

The investigation to date has determined the fire was accidental and there are no signs of foul play, he said, and he matter has been turned over to the coroners service.

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To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.