Updated story 3:30 PM
According to the City of Prince George, fire crews remain on site working on the continued clean up and investigation, following this morning’s (Tuesday) explosion on Dominion Street.
The blaze was fully extinguished by 2:30 this afternoon.
Buildings around the explosion site have experienced damage.
The roads will remain closed while this clean up and investigation takes place.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and the RCMP are asking for anyone with any video footage of the incident to please call the non-emergency line at 250-561-3300 to speak with investigators.
Estimated damage costs are unknown at this time.
Updated story 2:30 PM
Northern Health Spokesperson, Eryn Collins has told MyPGNow.com that one person is in “critical condition and is expected to be transferred to a higher level of care” following this morning’s explosion.
The other two who were transported to the hospital have been “assessed as being in fair condition, and they will likely be admitted for further observation,” Collins said.
Updated story 9:00 AM
Three people were transported to UHNBC hospital by emergency crews and a bystander following an explosion along the 400 block of Dominion Street this morning (Tuesday) in downtown Prince George.
RCMP and fellow first responders responded to the call just after 7:00 and closed off the areas between 3rd and 5th Avenue on George Street all the way down to Queensway.
Collins said the worst-case scenario has been avoided.
“University Hospital began briefly preparing for a potential Code Orange, which is a mass casualty response to the incident – however, that was stood down around 30 minutes later shortly after 8 am.”
“The hospital has received three patients from the scene, two from emergency responders and another from a bystander. I don’t have current information on their condition but at least one has suffered injuries that can be considered serious.”
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper with the Prince George RCMP stated the area of Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue from George Street to Dominion Street is closed to all vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
“We have been informed that hydro in the area has been shut down and will remain that way for an undetermined amount of time. Northern Health had confirmed that three people were transported to the hospital this morning, only one of whom had serious injuries. It is still too early into this event to determine any cause.” added Cooper.
The cause is under investigation.
Original Story 7:54 AM
First responders are currently near Fourth Avenue and Dominion Street (old Achillion restaurant) in Prince George for an explosion that occurred this morning (Tuesday) around 7:00.
According to police, the explosion occurred along the 400 block of Dominion Street and is a very dynamic situation with information changing rapidly.
The exact cause is currently under investigation.
According to the City of Prince George, crews from four fire halls are on the scene.
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper spoke with MyPGNow.com.
“There have been several casualties that have been transported to hospital, the number of which and the extent of their injuries is currently unknown.”
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.
Mounties are asking the public to avoid this area.
With files from Brendan Pawliw and Will Peters