Prince George RCMP reveals cause of downtown explosion
Posted September 7, 2023 8:45 am.
Last Updated September 7, 2023 8:51 am.
Mounties in Prince George say a damaged gas line is behind a massive explosion that rocked the northern B.C. city last month.
In an update from the RCMP on Thursday, investigators determined that the building where the explosion took place had been broken into by “unauthorized people” a few weeks before the incident.
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Police say investigators also determined there was evidence of copper pipe theft that led to at least one gas line being damaged.
“The source of the ignition that created the explosion was due to the activities of one of the unauthorized persons within the building, who was unaware at the time of the buildup of natural gas inside the structure,” an RCMP release said.
Authorities go on to say the investigation is ongoing and more time will be needed before “further determinations” can be made.
“We felt an update into the status of the investigation was necessary as so many people in our City were affected by the events of that morning,” stated Corp. Jennifer Cooper.
Three people were physically hurt in the explosion that took place around 7 a.m. on July 31, which sent huge plumes of black and grey smoke into the sky.
CityNews has heard from the family of one of the people who was seriously hurt, Victoria Mcgivern, who had to spend time in the burn unit at Vancouver General Hospital.
With files from Charlie Carey and Michael Williams
