Downtown Fire Remains Under Investigation

By 250 News

    It may be some time before  fire investigators can say for certain just what caused Monday’s blaze  in the buidling at the corner of Quebec and Second Avenue in downtown Prince George.

Deputy Fire Chief John Lane says the  physical damage was  limited to the south  end of the building  "But there was still very extensive smoke damage to the rest of the structure." 

Lane says  the building  was first constructed in 1911 and since that time there had been plenty of renovations. "That  was  part of the problem in fighting this fire as there were lots of false walls,  we had to bring in an excavator to get into the walls, there’s a real mess there, and it will take some time to get through it all."  

Lane wasn’t able to  give  an estimate on the damage to the building as it  isn’t clear just how much of the structure  can be saved.

An electrical  expert will be  coming on site to  look  it over.   Firefighters  had to  cut their  way into the basement from an outside cellar  door.  Once they  gained entry heavy smoke poured from the basement.

In all, three firefighters needed minor medical treatment.  Two succumbed to exhaustion, one suffered minor back strain.  Lane says all  three are  either now on regular days off or have reported back to work.

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