A patch of black ash covered snow outside a Calgary home improvement store where three people died early Monday in a shed fire.
There was nothing left of the shed, one of about a dozen on display in the parking lot outside a Lowe’s in the city’s northwest.
“When fire crews arrived and extinguished the fire, they tragically found three bodies inside,” said fire department spokeswoman Carol Henke.
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“There is some belief that they were using the shed as a shelter.”
The temperature had dipped to about -8 C overnight.
Henke said the fire is under investigation.
Police said in a statement video surveillance footage was reviewed and it was determined that the fire was not suspicious.
Investigators were still working to identify those who died and notify their families.
Flames damaged one side of an orange cherry picker, and a neighbouring shed was partially melted. Some garbage, a mattress, blankets and a shopping cart were piled up against some nearby trees.
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Yellow police tape was strung around the fire site, but the store remained open.
Lynnda McCaw, 79, was on her way inside to do some shopping when she spotted the scene.
“I find it extremely sad,” McCaw said.
“To have a fire here where people get hurt and die — it’s unbelievable.”
One man said he saw some homeless people in one of the sheds last week, and police were called.
Lowe’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation said that during its 2022 point-in-time count, there were 2,782 individuals experiencing some form of homelessness in the city.
It said data indicated that 71 per cent of those experiencing homelessness were living in shelters and the remaining 29 per cent were sleeping in outdoor areas or vehicles.
