Crews battle large apartment fire near high school in Prince George
Fire crews are battling a large apartment fire that broke out near D.P. Todd Secondary School at around 6 a.m. Thursday morning in Prince George, B.C.
Flames could be seen coming from the windows of the top floor of the three-storey building, and a thick plume of black smoke was visible across the city as the roof collapsed and portions of the structure fell to the ground in the residential Heritage neighbourhood near 5th Avenue.
Assistant fire chief A.C. Valentine said they were called to the scene at about 6 a.m. and had evacuated roughly 50 people. He said they did not believe there was anyone left inside, although two apartments were still inaccessible.
Damage to the building could be seen from the front and back as volunteers distributed coffee to people impacted and some neighbours put sprinklers on their roofs in an effort to protect their homes.
At least six fire trucks were on the scene, as well as ambulances. CBC News has reached out the B.C. Emergency Health Services for a status on injuries.
By 7:30 a.m., the fire was coming under control, though it was still active.
Valentine said it's too early to speculate on a possible cause.
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