Shane Nelson starts cleaning up the remnants of his belongings that were destroyed in Sunday's fire at a Valleyview homeless camp (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

HOMELESS CAMP FIRE

Homeless camp fire undetermined, riverbank resident looks towards rebuilding

May 10, 2021 | 4:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a fire that could be seen across the city. Plumes of black smoke the result of a blaze at a homeless camp in Valleyview on Sunday.

“On route, it was clear that it was not an organic-based fire. It wasn’t a brush fire,” said acting platoon captain Shawn Davidson. “Upon arrival, we confirmed it was a homeless encampment that was burning and there was a very large amount of mixed debris.”

The debris included mostly bike parts that belong to Shane Nelson, who calls this part of the riverbank home.

“I don’t know what to say. Start again,” he noted. “I don’t really know how to explain it. I want some clarity to figure out why in the hell.”

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Nelson and others living along the South Thompson River believe the fire was intentionally set by an outsider. He says no one was at the camp when the fire erupted around noon. Kamloops Fire Rescue has yet to determine the cause.

With some of these items destroyed by Sunday’s fire, the fear among Valleyview residents is some of these people might go into neighbourhoods to replenish the goods.

The Valleyview Community Association has observed an increase in criminal activity since the pandemic. The weekend fire, it says, may worsen the situation.

“We’re definitely worried about an uptake to replace some of the materials, so we’re going to be warning our residents to be a little more vigilant — close the gates, lock the sheds, put your stuff away,” said vice chair of the Valleyview Community Association Chris Ponti.

However, it’s not only the residents being the victims of thief. Nelson, who’s on disability, says most of the items are his own and he’s been stolen from.

“I bought my bike twice. I rebuilt it twice. I shouldn’t have to sit here in the community going, ‘You guys know my bike. Please don’t steal it,'” said Nelson. “I usually try to help my neighbour and try to be nice, but right now, there are few to figure out who my friends are.”