UPDATE 4 – Explosion and fire destroys downtown business…

PRINCE GEORGE

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 7:22 am. Last updated at 1:57 pm on August 23, 2023.

UPDATE 4 – Investigators remain on scene of Tuesday’s explosion on 4th Ave. Dominion Street between 4th Ave and 5th Ave remains closed while all other roads have now reopened.

Police say in an update on Wednesday that investigators will be on scene for several more days to confirm a cause of the explosion.

Once more is available, PJXM will update.

UPDATE 3 – Fire crews and investigators remain on scene of this mornings explosion and fire on 4th Ave at Dominion Street in downtown Prince George. Fire crews extinguished the blaze at around 2:30 pm this afternoon.

The City of Prince George says that structures around the initial blast site have suffered damage and crews are currently inspecting the buildings. The closest building would be the Research Lab of the Wood Innovation Building right next door. The Heartbreakers nightclub behind the blast site also suffered some damage. Businesses across 4th Ave have been affected as well, and that includes The Croft bar. Businesses across Dominion Street suffered blown out windows, including several business along 4th Ave.

The City says that roads will remain closed while clean up and investigation takes place.

The explosion and fire are currently being treated as suspicious. Damage costs are not yet available.

Fire crews continued to work on the structure fire this afternoon. Crews got it out around 2:30 pm. Police are asking for anyone with video footage of the initial explosion and aftermath prior to crews arriving on scene to give them a call at 250-561-3300. – City of Prince George

UPDATE 2 – Police and fire crews remain on scene of the explosion near the Wood Innovation Building in downtown Prince George. BC Hydro has shut down power to the area and will remain without power for the next several hours.

Northern Health has confirmed that three people were taken to UHNBC for treatment, one with serious injuries.

Police say it is too early to say what exactly happened at this location.

If you have any video footage of the incident prior to the explosion or shortly thereafter, please contact the PG RCMP at 250-561-3300.

UPDATED – RCMP have closed off sections of downtown near the initial explosion site. Roads closed are 3rd Ave to 5th Ave. Police are saying that many people have been injured in this explosion. Fire crews from all four halls in Prince George responded to the fire and many crews remain on scene at this time.

“This incident is dynamic and information is changing rapidly. We are insisting that all members of the public stay out of the immediate area to give first responders room to work safely. The number of casualties is currently unknown. More information will be provided as it comes available,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP.

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An explosion has destroyed a downtown business plus many more Tuesday morning in downtown Prince George. The explosion was heard from across the city. PJXM News video.

A loud explosion just after 7 am this morning in Prince George has destroyed from what PJXM can tell is Greek Cuisine, a former restaurant in the downtown core on 4th Ave.

Upon PJXM arrival to the scene. Emergency crews had blocked off several streets and fire crews were still making their way to the scene. It is not known at this time if all 4 fire halls are involved in fighting the fire.

Currently several areas of the downtown are closed to fight the fire and the debris field stretches from 4th Ave to 5th Ave. Ash and debris have fallen on nearby roads.

*This is the building on 4th Ave that exploded this morning in downtown Prince George. Google Maps.*

*Debris field from the Greek Cuisine Restaurant in downtown Prince George. PJXM News photo.*

This is an unfolding situation and more details will be posted soon.

Police have currently closed the streets in a square block between Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue on Dominion Street all the way down to Queensway. Please avoid entering this area. The exact cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

*Upon arrival to the scene. PJXM News photo.*

*Approximately 1 minute following the explosion. PJXM News Photo*

*Approximately 3 minutes following the explosion. PJXM News photo*

**The story Headline title has been adjusted from saying “businesses” to “business”. Only one building was destroyed while many others suffered damage.