The Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a fire at the downtown government building on Wednesday (Jan 7) morning.
Fire Chief Ron Richert says the calls came in at around 6-15 to Barlow Avenue.
“Upon arrival we had a large campfire that was underneath the overhang next to the provincial government building. The RCMP on scene were able to extinguish most of the fire to keep the flames down. We called some crews in and we were able to extinguish the remaining fire and check for hot spots against the wall area. There was a large debris of clothing that was on fire.”
Richert says there was some damage done to the building.
“We were on scene for approximately 30 minutes. There was some damage to the wall and the interior, and there was some smoke inside the building in one of the rooms on the second floor.”
He says it could have been much worse.
“Obviously the RCMP were on scene fairly quick and were able to extinguish the flames which prevented it from spreading any further. It could have extended a little further than what it had and caused more damage definitely.”
Richert says no one was there when police and the fire department arrived.
He says RCMP are now investigating and will be checking video surveillance cameras in the area.
