Body found after fire at abandoned building in Nanaimo
The Nanaimo RCMP are investigating after the body of an adult was found following a fire at an abandoned building on Sunday.
Mounties say a patrol officer spotted smoke coming from the building located at 85 Wallace St. just after midnight and called other first responders.
Two people who were inside at the time of the fire and made it out before crews arrived at the scene.
Firefighters arrived soon after and extinguished the blaze. Crews then entered the building and located the deceased person on the first floor.
RCMP forensic investigators, Nanaimo Fire Rescue investigators and the BC Coroners Service are now trying to determine the cause of the fire and how the person died.
While the investigation is in its early stages, police say they do not believe foul play is involved.
"All we can say at this point is that an individual was found deceased inside the building," Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary O’Brien told CTV News.
Mounties believe that people were camping inside the building at the time of the fire.
The vacant property has been the site of several break-ins and fires since its closure more than a year ago.
The building used to be the Caledonia Medical Clinic and will eventually be demolished to make way for new construction.
The site has temporary fencing around the perimeter and all doors and windows have been boarded up.
Investigators were back Monday morning to do further examination of the scene and building.
The deceased person has not yet been identified, police said Monday.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.