Staff reports 8 a.m.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 8:01 am

MANCHESTER - The Manchester homeless man who died in a tent fire on Saturday had acquired an indoor propane heater two days before the fire, two volunteers who work with the homeless told the Union Leader on Monday.

The $70 Mr. Buddy propane heater was still in its box when a man known as Gary showed it to them Thursday, the two told the newspaper.

Gary is believed to be the man who died during Saturday's snowstorm in a homeless encampment along train tracks that run behind 168 Willow St.

A press release from the state Fire Marshal's Office said they responded to the scene after a 911 caller reported there was a fire and explosion at the camp around 1 p.m.

Officials said the man's body would be autopsied on Sunday, but those results have not yet been released.