Investigation into the explosion that rocked downtown Prince George, British Columbia, last month has uncovered evidence indicating that a copper pipe theft damaged a natural gas line prior to the incident. The explosion occurred on August 22, inside an abandoned building near Fourth Avenue and Dominion Street, resulting in three individuals being hospitalized and causing damage to nearby shops.
The preliminary findings from the Prince George RCMP investigation suggest that “multiple unauthorized people” had broken into the property the night before the explosion. It appears that one of the suspects inadvertently triggered the explosion without realizing that there was a buildup of natural gas inside the building.
While firefighters suspect that a copper theft had damaged at least one gas line before the blast, the exact timing of this damage remains unclear.
The explosion, which occurred around 7 a.m., created panic in the downtown area, with witnesses describing scenes of fire, smoke, and people scattering in all directions. Two patients were transported to the University Hospital of Northern B.C. by paramedics, while a third individual was dropped off by a member of the public. At the time, one patient was in critical condition, while the other two were in “fair condition,” according to Northern Health. The investigation is ongoing, with further determinations expected to take some time due to the complexity of the case. Cpl. Jennifer Cooper of the Prince George RCMP emphasized the need for updates given the significant impact of the incident on the city’s residents.