Police say ‘many’ taken to hospital after explosion, fire in downtown Prince George

At least three people have been taken to hospital after an explosion and fire in downtown Prince George, B.C., early Tuesday.

RCMP said there was an explosion in an abandoned building around 7 a.m. PT.

Police initially said many people had been taken to hospital and urged the public to stay away from the area.

Later in the morning, Northern Health said the University Hospital of Northern B.C. received three patients. Two were brought in by B.C. Emergency Health Services and one by a bystander.

The health authority said their conditions were not available but at least one had serious injuries.

WATCH | Footage of the fire following the explosion:

Explosion levels building in downtown Prince George

36 minutes ago

Duration 0:39

An explosion and fire at the former Achillion restaurant levelled the building and damaged several others in downtown Prince George, B.C., early Aug. 22.

Police said in a release that first responders are on the scene at 4th Avenue and Dominion Street.

Streets between 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue from George Street to Dominion Street have been closed and police are asking the public to avoid the area.

The cause of the blast is not yet known, and Cooper said emergency crews remained on scene as firefighters worked to put out the flames.

Fortis and B.C. Hydro were also at the scene to try to help firefighters contain the blaze and aid in the investigation, Cooper said.

RCMP said hydro in the area will be shut down for an undetermined period of time.

Witnesses said they felt a minor shaking of their homes as far as five kilometres away around the time of the explosion.