A fire this morning (July 8) at the Econo Lodge in downtown Prince George has claimed three lives.
BC Coroners spokesperson Andy Watson tells PrinceGeorgeMatters in an emailed statement that they were notified early this afternoon of an incident at a hotel on Victoria Street.
He says the Coroners Service is investigating to determine who died and to investigate how, where, when and by what means.
Watson added the investigation is in the very early stages and no other information is available to be shared at this time.
Early this morning, a room/balcony was visibly on fire with smoke barrelling out of the structure and numerous emergency personnel on scene.
#BREAKING: the fire at the Econo Lodge on Prince George has killed 3 people. Fire is was mentioned to be ‘suspicious’ but investigation still ongoing and BC Coroners Service has been brought in #cityofpg #econolodge #fire #bc pic.twitter.com/7iuP6pB7XU
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) July 8, 2020
Cpl. Craig Douglass with Prince George RCMP said earlier today that the fire was 'suspicious' in nature.
In a release, Douglass says police received a report at 9 a.m. this morning of a fire at a motel on Victoria Street.
Fire crews found three people dead within the building at roughly 12:30 p.m.
"Police were advised by fire personnel, that the fire appeared to be suspicious; however the investigation is just beginning and cause has not yet been determined."
More information is set to be released when available.
- with files from Hanna Petersen and Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters
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