The tragic news that a homeless man, camping illegally in the parkway, had died from burns suffered when his fire engulfed him, reminds us that illegal camping is not only threatening to the sense of public safety that the legitimate users of the Parkway should enjoy, but to the illegal campers themselves.
Homeless man dies after tent fire at wooded campsite
By Jocelyn Wiener - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, January 4, 2007
A homeless man burned to death early Wednesday morning after the tent he was sleeping in went up in flames, fire officials said.
The man, identified by Loaves & Fishes officials as Keith Wilkins, had been camping in the woods near the Blue Diamond Growers almond processing plant in Sacramento, according to Sacramento City Fire Capt. Jim Doucette. Wilkins had built a campfire close to his tent, presumably to ward off the cold, Doucette said.
Fire officials said they received a call at 1:16 a.m. from an emergency call box on a bike trail along the American River.
By the time paramedics arrived, Wilkins had suffered second- and third-degree burns over his entire body, Doucette said. He was transported to UC Davis Medical Center. A spokeswoman there confirmed that he had died.
