The RCMP are investigating the death of a person whose body was found near a dumpster fire in Spruce Grove, Alta., early Monday morning.
Police said an off-duty officer on the way to work spotted the fire. The RCMP and local fire department were notified about the scene at a strip mall in the area of Calahoo Road and McLeod Avenue about 4:40 a.m.
A man who said he was homeless showed up at the scene and told Global News he heard about what happened and wanted to learn more, as he believes the person who died was likely one of his friends.
Global News has agreed not to provide the man’s name because of a concern for his safety. He asked to be referred to as Preacher.
“(I’m) wondering which one it is,” Preacher said.
“I have a pretty good idea of who it is … condolences to his family.”
Preacher said while he does not know with certainty who died or how they died, a dumpster is a space sometimes used by people who are homeless out of necessity.
“You try to stay warm but have no place to do it,” he said. “And when you have something like this, it’s kind of a nice place to sit and hide for a while … until somebody kicks them out.”
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David Wolanski, with community and protective services for the City of Spruce Grove, said the community about 15 kilometres west of Edmonton has seen an increase in homelessness over the past few years.
“Right now, our numbers vary but we are seeing approximately 50 people we consider chronically unhoused,” Wolanski said.
He said most of the folks living rough in the city are not from other nearby communities, rather, they’re existing Spruce Grove community members.
“We have day time warming centres in the city and in surrounding communities, and we have our late night café, when activated it provides overnight temporary accommodations.”
“We have responded to encampment fires. We have responded to situations that would be considered or maybe as a result of individual trying to keep warm.”
The city launched an outreach team this fall that works to proactively help unhoused folks.
“They work on education, fire safety and some of those things.”
Police have not confirmed details about the person who died or how the dumpster fire may have been connected to the death.
Preacher said there are more homeless people in Spruce Grove lately, which is located about 30 kilometres west of downtown Edmonton, because they are “trying to get away from the city because they want a change … hopefully a brighter future.”
“We’re all the same in this … We want a place to call home. We want a warm meal in front of us at least once a day.
“We’re not asking for a silver spoon — just something to get by on.”
Preacher described why living rough can be so difficult.
“The worst part about being on the streets is you have no place to put your head down and sleep. The minute you do, you’re pushed out, you’re woke up, you’re kicked out if not charged with trespassing,” he said.
“It’s hard when you just want 20 minutes to sleep and you can’t find that spot… It’s a 24-hour job… You’ve got to keep moving to stay warm.”
The body has been taken to the medical examiner’s office in Edmonton and an autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
“Any persons who may have seen what happened prior to the fire, or who have dashcam footage, are asked to contact the Parkland RCMP detachment,” police said.
Spruce Grove residents who see a vulnerable person in trouble are asked to call the community outreach team at 780-962-7583.