By Greg Fry

Evacuation

Update: The City of Prince George reveals cause of courthouse evacuation

Dec 29, 2025 | 1:48 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Update: The City of Prince George says the odour at the Prince George Courthouse was created by a battery bank/charging station that malfunctioned. 

FortisBC says the fire department disconnected the batteries to stop the off-gassing, and the maintenance crew used the rooftop to purge the building.

The smell has dissipated, and our crews were cleared to leave the site at 1:58pm.

Earlier: The Prince George Courthouse was evacuated early this (Monday) afternoon due to an unknown potential gas odour.

FortisBC said the odour was reported to them at 12:09 p.m. and note that they arrived on site at 12:43 p.m..

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As of 1:45 p.m., FortisBC said the courthouse remained evacuated with an investigation into the odour ongoing.

FortisBC would like to remind everyone that if you smell rotten eggs or hear the sound of escaping gas, stop what you’re doing, go outside and dial 9-1-1 or call FortisBC’s 24-hour emergency line. More information on gas safety is available at fortisbc.com/safety.

We’ll update this story as soon as more information is released.