According to officials, a guy from the Seaside died in a tent fire at a city-approved camp last week while attempting to stay warm with a candle.
The fire comes after months of discussion on where to put the city’s only approved campsite in Seaside and how to safely and humanely address homelessness along the Oregon coast.
The city reports that the fire broke out just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to investigators, the tent fire was started by a candle, and Rocky Alan Guerrero, 53, was discovered dead at the site.
Before first responders arrived, officials said someone at the camp doused the fire using a nearby hose. No other injuries or damages were reported, and the fire did not spread past the single tent.
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It could have been far worse, according to the neighbors.
According to Jorjett Strumme, who lives across the street from the camp, we have been worried about fires since day one. Both my neighbors and I have witnessed fires from our window. We’re scared because they’re crammed into a small space, and if something catches fire, it might spread.
According to Dave Koller, who runs a storage facility on Avenue S across the street from the encampment, he and other local residents have voiced their concerns to the city about the camp, but they believe their issues have mostly gone unanswered.
Koller stated that the fact that this fire occurred in an industrial area is one of its issues. A car and paint shop is located in the building adjacent to it. That the city would place a fire hazard close to it is simply unthinkable.
First responders had previously attended to flames at the encampment, but no additional fatalities have been reported, according to municipal spokesperson John Rahl. According to him, camp residents are permitted to cook using a modest gas burner.
According to Rahl, the camp will be moved by the city to a location just behind the public works building. According to him, the transfer is scheduled for sometime in the spring.
–Kristine de Leon uncovers tales about data enterprise, small company, retail, and consumer health. [email protected] is her email address.
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