Prince George, British Columbia, finds itself embroiled in a legal dispute over a natural gas explosion that leveled a downtown building last summer. The City is pointing fingers at Commonwealth Campus Corp., alleging negligence in securing the building from unlawful activities, the accumulation of flammable materials, and maintaining natural gas flow when the building was not in use. Additionally, the City filed a “third party notice” against Commonwealth Campus Corp. and three unidentified individuals for their alleged roles in causing the blast.
Heartbreakers nightclub, a neighboring establishment, has filed a notice of claim seeking damages from the City, citing loss of profits due to the explosion that forced the business to close temporarily. The City, however, has denied any responsibility for the incident that occurred on August 22, 2023, resulting in the destruction of the former Achillion restaurant building.
The explosion seriously injured a city parks worker who was walking away from the building, where two other individuals sustained minor injuries. The building had been vacant since the closure of Achillion in 2016, despite being listed for lease/sale by Commonwealth Campus Corp. The delay in cleaning up the wreckage, costing Commonwealth over $100,000, was attributed to the insurance company’s prolonged claims process.
Commonwealth Campus Corp. purchased the building in 2010, amid speculation that the area would house a downtown university campus alongside UNBC’s Wood Innovation and Design Centre. The legal allegations against the corporation and the unidentified individuals are set to be tested in court, as they have yet to file a response to the City’s notice. The fallout from the explosion serves as a reminder of the potential hazards and consequences of negligence in building maintenance and security. The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of assigning blame and seeking damages in cases of catastrophic events.