The RCMP are investigating the death of a homeless man after a fire in Berwick, N.S.
Police and fire crews were called to a fire at a bus shelter on Commercial Street around 2:10 a.m. Wednesday.
“Upon arrival at the scene, our members found a 62-year-old male, deceased,” says RCMP Sgt. Alain LeBlanc.
Police have released few details but say the death and fire are considered suspicious.
They believe the man was inside the bus shelter when it was set ablaze.
Community members say the man was homeless and was well known in the area. They also say he suffered from mental health issues and had been living in the bus shelter.
“When it hits this close to home in a small town, I don’t know, it’s affecting me in a way, it’s surprising me,” says Berwick resident Wayne Dombroski.
Police have not confirmed the man’s name but community members say he went by Harley.
“He didn’t have a lot of friends,” says Walter Dodge, a friend of the victim. “He didn’t talk a lot but I figured if I could be talking to him, that’s something.”
Dodge says Harley slept at the bus shelter every night and would often tell him he feared for his life.
Dodge believes a lack of police presence in the area contributed to his friend’s death.
“There’s no police at nighttime. They shut down at 9 o’clock,” says Dodge.
The only RCMP office in Berwick closed its doors almost two years ago. It had been located directly across the street from the bus shelter where Harley was found.
“People know they have a certain amount of time before police are going to be here, 15 or 20 minutes, they can do a crime and be out,” says Dodge.
John Andrew runs Open Arms, an advocacy network for those in need. He knew Harley and says he struggled with mental illness, an issue Andrew says doesn’t get enough government attention.
“I think where we stand with legislation, I think it’s reactionary to the old days of institution and we don’t want that…we’ve reacted too far, too strongly and now we can’t do anything for someone who is in trouble,” says Andrew.
Joanne Bernard, Nova Scotia’s new minister of community services, says she doesn’t take the matter lightly.
“There are all sorts of situations where people with addictions or mental health issues are on the streets, and we as a society have a responsibility that they’re taken care of,” says Bernard.
A section of Commercial Street was blocked off Wednesday and some businesses were closed as police investigated the scene. The scene has since been released.
The RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crimes unit has been called in to assist with the investigation.
Police say an autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday morning to determine a cause of death.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Alyse Hand
