Firefighters assist with evacuation residents of Meadowbrook Apts Sunday night

Prince George, B.C. –  Approximately 25 tenants are spending the night out of their suites, after a suspicious blaze broke out in a three-storey apartment building on 1st Avenue just after 8pm on New Year’s Day.

Prince George Fire Rescue crews from three halls arrived at the Meadowbrook Apartments, near Ospika Boulevard, to find heavy smoke billowing throughout the building.  Fire Chief John Lane says an additional crew from the fourth hall was called to the scene to assist with the evacuation of residents in the building.

Lane says all of the evacuees were evaluated for smoke inhalation by BC Ambulance paramedics.  "Seven were transported to UNHBC for further assessment and treatment," he says.  "A BC Transit bus was brought to the scene to shelter the evacuees." (click here for earlier story with video clip)

As was the case with the fire at the Victoria Towers apartment building in early November, the City of Prince George’s Evacuation Support Program was activated once again this evening and a reception centre was opened at the City Hall Annex.  Fire Chief Lane says the evacuees were transported to the reception centre, registered, and accomodated.

He says the fire appears to have started in a storage locker on the ground floor.  "There is significant fire damage to the storage area and ground floor, and smoke damage throughout the building. A small amount of fire damage extended to the suite directly above the fire."

Speaking with 250 News, apartment resident, Ann Compton, says this fire was the second in a month at the apartment block.

Chief Lane says the blaze appears suspicious in nature.  No damage estimate is yet available.  Investigators from Prince George Fire Rescue and the RCMP will attend the site later this morning to begin a fire cause determination.