According to the RCMP, a big explosion in downtown Prince George, Canada, has sent at least three individuals to the hospital. Northern Health confirms that at least one of the three victims sent to the hospital had serious injuries, according to an update from RCMP investigators.
Northern Health stated that three persons were taken to the hospital this morning, with only one suffering serious injuries. “It is too early in the investigation to determine a cause,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.
“We have been informed that the hydro in the area has been shut down and will remain so for an unknown period of time.”
Police have closed Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue from George Street to Dominion Street. There is no automobile or pedestrian traffic allowed within the perimeter, the Prince George Citizen reported.
The Achillion Restaurant in Prince George had been located in the structure that exploded in 1956. Kostas Iliopulos ran it for 35 years before it closed in 2016.
The region where the building burst has long been plagued by crime, with Prince George’s downtown centre having similar problems as many other Canadian communities.
“All of the small businesses, even some of the big businesses and office buildings, it’s very challenging because there’s thefts and damage,” she explained. “There are fires all the time in the winter because they make their fires on the sidewalks or in the doorways and they’re not very careful.”
Deborah Dissler’s craft and collectable shop, A Butler’s Market, located just down the block on the opposite side of the street from where the explosion occurred. She received a call early Tuesday morning regarding a broken glass sensor that had gone off.
“I decided to go look for myself,” said Ms. Dissler. “I couldn’t get near the building because they had the area blocked off.”
The blast occurred at 7 a.m., and power was cut to the region. Video footage of the aftermath shared online showed thick black smoke plummeting into the air as firefighters extinguished the flames.
Other People’s Treasures, Randy Wilson’s antique and collection shop, located two doors down from Ms. Dissler’s.
Mr. Wilson stated that his company’s alarm went off Tuesday morning, and when he reviewed the security camera footage, all he saw was smoke.
“I don’t think it was an unintentional situation,” Mr. Wilson added. “It’s insane downtown. “Perhaps this will be an eye-opener.”
He claimed that police wouldn’t let him into his building, but he was able to check on things from a back entrance, and that some items had been knocked off shelves, but no other damage had occurred.
Crime wave in Prince George
Mr. Wilson stated that his store sells a variety of products, including sports memorabilia such as antique hockey cards, as well as other keepsakes and rarities. He claims that a break-in a few years ago robbed the shop of roughly $60,000 in merchandise.
“I’m frustrated with the whole thing, with the entire downtown core,” he remarked. “It’s getting worse every year.”
Mr. Wilson said other buildings in the city’s downtown area had burned down in recent years, which has been frustrating as the city’s homelessness problem has worsened.
“I’ve come downtown at 11 p.m. when they’re burning things in the back alley behind my store.” “I built my house out of wood,” he explained. “I’ve got some decisions to make.”
Corporal Jennifer Cooper, a police spokesperson, said one of those brought to hospital has critical injuries. B.C. Emergency Health Services said it sent two patients to hospital, while a third was taken by a different party.
Fortis and BC Hydro were on the scene Tuesday to assist firefighters in putting out the fire and assisting with the investigation.
The City of Prince George published drone footage of firefighters responding to a reported explosion. A big explosion at an abandoned building in downtown Prince George, B.C., has sent numerous individuals to the hospital, according to RCMP. The explosion occurred at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
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