Prince George explosion leaves at least 3 people hurt: RCMP

A massive explosion in downtown Prince George has sent at least three people to the hospital.

The Prince George RCMP says officers were called to the area near the Wood Innovation Building near Fourth Avenue and Dominion Street Tuesday around 7 a.m.

According to an update from investigators, Northern Health confirms at least one of the three people taken to the hospital had serious injuries.

“We have been (informed) that hydro in the area has been shut down and will remain that way for an undetermined amount of time,” Corp. Jennifer Cooper said in a release just before 9:45 a.m.

“It is still too early into this event to determine any cause.”

An explosion and fire has destroyed a business plus many more could be damaged from the initial explosion on 4th Ave in Prince George Tuesday morning. #cityofpg #explosion pic.twitter.com/o2rlcqvuJ8

— PJXM News (@pjxmn) August 22, 2023

Initially, Mounties said the incident led to an “unknown number of casualties,” though they noted some people had been taken to the hospital.

“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,” Cooper said in an earlier statement.

Downtown Prince George fire this morning at the corner of 4th & Dominion. These photos from Tracie Leclerc in the HSBC building. Dale. pic.twitter.com/kKK5noRME4

— The GOAT (@TheGOATRocks) August 22, 2023

The explosion resulted in several road closures in the downtown core, including the area of Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue, from George Street to Dominion Street.

People were being asked to avoid the area.

First responders in Prince George are on the scene after a massive explosion in the downtown core of the Northern B.C. city Tuesday morning. (Google Maps)

“We are insisting that all members of the public stay out of this vicinity since we do not know what caused the explosion,” Cooper explained in a call to CityNews earlier in the day.

“We do not know if any of the smoke in the air could be toxic, so we have cordoned off a large section of our downtown area to give first responders room to work safely as well as to keep the public safe.”

Footage from the scene shows plumes of black and grey smoke flowing into the sky, with burning rubble on the ground near the building.

The Achillion Restaurant in downtown Prince George #PrinceGeorgeBC pic.twitter.com/GsG2s0h2d9

— Blood and Souls for my Lord Arioch! (@cdown2) August 22, 2023

Cooper said “all emergency crews are currently on scene dealing with it.”

“The explosion was loud enough or powerful enough that most of our Prince George area felt it, residents felt it,” she said.

Be safe downtown.. pic.twitter.com/iEV58kf50O

— Josh Kelley (@JoshKelleyBC) August 22, 2023

Prince George Mayor Simon Yu says the explosion happened at a one-storey “old restaurant” that has been vacant for “some time.”

“At around 7 a.m. there was an explosion and it’s quite violent,” he told CityNews. “By the sounds of it, it might be gas it might be something else.”

“It’s not a good thing that’s happening. … We’re monitoring the situation actively,” Yu said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

-With files from Mike Lloyd