Prince George- Fire investigators are treating a fire in at the Meadowbrook Apartments Sunday as suspicious.

Just after 8:00 pm on New Year’s Day, Prince George Fire Rescue crews from 3 halls responded to a fire in the Meadowbrook Apartments on 1st Avenue near Ospika Boulevard.

First arriving crews found heavy smoke throughout the 3 storey building, and an additional crew from the fourth hall was responded to assist with evacuation.

The fire appears to have originated 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.

There were approximately 25 tenants in the building at the time of the fire. All were evacuated and evaluated for smoke inhalation by BC Ambulance Paramedics.

Seven were transported to UHNBC for further assessment and treatment.

A BC Transit bus was brought to the scene to shelter the evacuees. The City of Prince George’s Evacuation Support Program was activated, and a reception centre was opened at the City Hall Annex. The evacuees were transported to the reception centre, registered and accommodated.