By Nick Dube

Second fire in less then a month has local business owner worried

Sep 29, 2025 | 4:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Large flames filled the sky early Sunday morning as a large fire consumed the Nechako Bottle Depot on first avenue. Crews from four fire halls responded to the call and arrived to find heavy fire and smoke coming from the entire building. Firefighters battled the blaze and despite being helped by cooler temperatures and rain the building was lost. Fire chief Brian Burleigh says that with two large fires to two staples of the community its understandable that tensions would be high but urges citizens to remain calm until the investigation is concluded.

“Well, with two major losses within the last month or six weeks these people have a heightened response. No doubt it’s a devastating thing for our community, the property owner and for the people that work there. There are several greater impacts than just the loss to the building and the business and, hopefully they’ll be able to rebuild and navigate through their insurance and resurrect their business and and the livelihoods that it supported.” said Burleigh.

The loss of the Nechako Bottle Depot and the early September fire that destroyed community favourite Crossroads Brewing leaves the community wondering what can be done to prevent further incidents. A local business owner is dealing with fire concerns himself and says he’s had to take extra steps to fortify his property.

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“We’re worried about everything. We have fortified our buildings with bars and screens so they can’t break into the windows anymore. But now you’ve got the fire starting. We’ve had the fire department here seven times this year, starting a fire behind my trailer here, and they’ve come to put it out. Fire department says they never worked so hard at as the last couple of years.” said Nick Kozak the owner of the Hands On Carwash.

The recent fires at crossroads and Nechako Bottle Depot have Kozak concerned about insurance rates going up and says his customers may have to pick up part of the cost.

“It’s just got way out of control. The resources aren’t there. We pay big dollars for taxes and it’s supposed to pay for the police, and fire department. What happens with our insurance costs? We’re going to be deemed as a hot zone with insurance companies. We’re going to be facing insurance costs going up. Do we pass it on to our customers well that’s going to be hard to do. It’s not only the businesses are going to pay the insurance but it’s going to be property owners too, because everybody’s at risk.” said Kozak.

The Prince George RCMP are asking witnesses or any nearby businesses with video surveillance that caught the fire starting from between 430 and 5am Sunday morning to contact them at 250-561-3300.