On a December morning, Kevin Williams pushes a cart filled with all his belongings through Nanaimo.
The 58-year-old father of four has no home and now, nowhere to sleep, after a fire and a series of explosions destroyed a large homeless encampment on Welsey Street, near the city’s downtown, Thursday afternoon.H
“I’m just really lost with what happened,” Williams told CHEK News.
The blaze, which caused multiple propane tanks to explode, ultimately force law enforcement to close the encampment, leaving an estimated 60 people scrambling to find whatever shelter they can.
“Everybody’s all short-tempered, there’s been fights left and right,” said Williams. “It’s hectic.”
Williams is among those searching for housing since the fire destroyed the encampment.
Local outreach workers tell CHEK News, the fire only made the situation worse for many of those who were living at the encampment.
But there while many struggle to find housing, there was some good news.
On Saturday, however, Vancouver Island businessman Gordy Dodd, owner of Dodd’s Furniture and Mattress, donated more than 150 blankets to the local Salvation Army to help those in need.
“We are trying our best,” said Gordy Dodd, of Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress.
Meanwhile, the thought of being given a warm blanket brought a smile to Willaims face, who said he would be grateful to get one.
Skye Ryan
