photo of the Waterfront Lodge at Ness Lake Bible Camp shown on NLBC website

Prince George, B.C. –  Teenaged campers are being evacuated from Ness Lake Bible Camp, 30-kilometres northwest of Prince George, this hour, as fire fighters from four halls battle a blaze on the property where there are reportedly concerns about explosives, possibly propane tanks.

(At right,  campers  organize to   leave the area,  click on photo for  brief video)

RCMP Media Relations Officer, Corporal Craig Douglass, says a call came in about a structure fire at the lakeside camp at 10pm this evening.  It’s believed the four halls responding are from Volunteer Fire Departments in the area, as the camp lies outside of Prince George Fire Rescue’s jurisdiction.  At this point, there are reports the fire may have spread to additional buildings at the camp.

Corporal Douglass says RCMP are on-scene, assisting with the evacuation of the campers and staff.  250 News is at the camp and reports there were 17 teens participating in the weekend New Years Camp for students in grades 8 through 12.  All 17 participants and staff members are being shuttled from the site by volunteer drivers – one car-load was driven to a nearby home at the lake.  250 News has not been permitted to speak with any of the teens, nor  has Opinion 250 been  allowed to  gain access to any  area where photos  of the actual fire could be obtained. 

The Executive Director of NLBC is refusing to offer any comment at this point, saying the immediate priority is in dealing with the camp participants.

Both BC Hydro and Fortis have been at the camp and apparently disconnected services to the site, but fears of further explosives have RCMP setting up a perimeter.

According to the NLBC website, the photo below shows some of the original cabins that still remain on the property, they were built in the 1950s