Taya Fast

UPDATED: Suspicious fire guts tattoo shop

Jul 20, 2021 | 3:53 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A large fire destroyed the Handsom Boy Tattoo shop early Tuesday morning.

Crews responded to the fire in the 1600 block of 20th Avenue around 6:30 a.m.

“Initially six apparatus with 19 firefighters responded and on arrival found heavy smoke and flame coming from the middle unit of a strip mall and smoke coming from the eaves of the adjacent units,” said Assistant Fire Chief D. Pears He says crews remained on scene for about three hours adding there were no injuries.

There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

“Although it is early in the investigation, the cause of the fire appears to be suspicious in nature,” said Prince George RCMP Cpl. Sonja Blom

If you have any information about the fire, you are asked to contact the RCMP or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers.

“The Prince George RCMP is looking for dashcam footage or anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area between 6:00 a.mm and 6:35 a.m. this morning,” continued Blom.

Pears estimates that the damages to the mall are approximately $200,000.00. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support the parlour rebuild. As of Tuesday evening, close to $10,000 had been donated.