Unidentified Body Found Burned After Fire At Transient Camp

Sat., Dec. 12, 1998

From Staff

An unidentified body was found charred beyond recognition Friday after a fire at what authorities described as a “hobo camp” in the Valley.

Firefighters discovered the body among the ashes of a burned shack just west of Sullivan Road near railroad tracks on the north side of the Spokane River.

Spokane County sheriff’s spokesman David Reagan said the fire was reported around 6 p.m.

Reagan said the sheriff’s department and the Valley fire district are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of death.

Officials could not determine the gender of the body.

“It may have been accidental, but at this point, we don’t know,” Reagan said.

Rob Wyllie, machine operator with nearby Kemwater North American, said he reported the fire. Wyllie confirmed that the shed occasionally is occupied by transients.

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