Man dies in hospital from severe burns after fire at Saint John tent encampment

A 44-year-old man has died after a large fire broke out at a tent encampment in Saint John Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Saint John Fire platoon chief Ed Moyer said first responders arrived at the scene around 8 p.m. after receiving a report of an outdoor fire near the Main Street overpass toward Highway 1.

“The first truck arrived to find one person had suffered serious injuries with severe burns, they assisted that patient to an ambulance, and he was transported to the hospital,” Moyer said, adding that the individual was inside a structure of “tarps and plywood” when the fire broke out.

He also said backup was called following the arrival of the first truck. A command officer, four other firefighters, and a tanker were then dispatched to the scene.

Moyer said he was unsure how the blaze started. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In an update Sunday evening, Saint John Police said the victim was taken to hospital and later transported out of province for further medical treatment. He was pronounced dead Sunday.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this most difficult time,” the statement said.

— with files from Alex Cooke