New concerns of homelessness following fatal fire in Dayton
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By WHIO Staff
DAYTON — As investigators work to identify the five people found dead after a multi-building fire in Dayton on Wednesday, there are new concerns about homelessness.
They are working to figure out whether these five people were homeless.
News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis spoke with a neighbor Thursday night. That person came across a squatter and said the man was sitting by next to what is now just pile of rubble.
“Put a trash can over there.” That is audio from a Ring Video late last month.
Shawn Talley told Lewis it showed him confront what he thought were squatters dumping trash outside.
“I let them know my fear. I have two children here so I’m scared of the activity that they may have,” he said. “We were worried about the possibility of fires and where they would move on to next after this.”
On Thursday afternoon, Dayton Police Lt. Coll. Eric Henderson said since last fall, his department received least four calls to check out 508 and 510 North Broadway Streets. The calls ranged from alarms going off inside to burglaries in progress.
“It’s important to note that officers did not encounter anyone at that time,” he said. “But, there were reports that that house had some activity in and out of it.”
Lewis reports Dayton City leaders said a new owner bought the property last year.
Henderson said if they do find someone in a vacant home, they have to find the property owner to see if they want to press charges.
“But, at the same time, if it’s a homeless individual or someone we can offer services to,” he added. “We’re also going to try to do that.”
“You don’t want to see anybody lose their life for any reason,” said Talley.