Body found after fire in ‘makeshift’ structure in Salmon Arm: RCMP

An investigation is underway after RCMP say the body of a man was found in a "makeshift" structure after a fire early this morning.

Shortly after 5 a.m. this morning, March 5, emergency crews responded to reports of a structure on fire in the 1700 block of 10 Avenue Southwest in Salmon Arm, according to an RCMP media release.

Police say first responders arrived to find the makeshift structure fully engulfed in flames.

Witnesses told police they heard explosions during the blaze. RCMP say the explosions were likely caused by propane tanks and fuel containers inside the structure.

"The body of a deceased male was discovered inside the structure by fire crews," Salmon Arm RCMP Staff Sgt. Scott West says in the release. "At this time criminality is not suspected in the man’s sudden death. Our next steps will be to obtain a positive identification and notify his next of kin."

The RCMP and the BC Coroners Service is investigating.

Police say for privacy reasons under the Coroners Act, the victim's name is not being released at this time.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Salmon Arm RCMP at 250-832-6044.


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Brie Welton

Brie Welton

Brie is a recent graduate from UBC Okanagan where she studied English and French while managing the campus newspaper. After working as an intern reporter for the summer of 2019 in her home-town of Kelowna, she rejoined the InfoNews team in March 2020 and moved to Kamloops.
Her interests range from food features and artist profiles to politics, crime and minority issues. She has a passion for story-telling and aspires to one day become a full-time court reporter.