Prince George, BC –  One person has been injured as a result of a late night fire in a supportive living apartment building on Queensway Street…

Prince George Fire Rescue Chief John Lane says a patient had been dragged from the suite by an on-duty staff member by the time fire crews arrived at the Friendship Lodge at 1656 Queensway just before midnight.

Lane says three halls responded to the alarm.  "The patient was administered emergency medical treatment by one crew," he says, "While the second and third ventilated the first floor and attacked the fire."

The resident was transported to UHNBC by ambulance.  The fire chief says a sprinkler head in the suite had already activated and the fire was quickly extinguished.  Lane says, "Investigation revealed the fire was accidental, caused by smoking in the presence of oxygen therapy."

He says the successful rescue of the individual and limited damage to the suite underscores the value of early fire detection by smoke alarms, and the effectiveness of sprinklers in helping to limit fire spread.  No damage estimate is available, but it was limited to the contents of the suite – with minor fire damage and moderate water damage.

The Friendship Lodge is a 30-unit assisted living facility for homeless or those at risk due to mental health and addiction issues.  It is run by the Prince George Native Friendship Society.