In the early hours of Thursday, May 22, a fire tore through the Boardwalk Apartments on Killoren Crescent, displacing dozens of residents and destroying nearly half of the units.
It was tragic and devastating,. Thankfully there was no loss of life, but people were left without their homes and belongings.
And yet, in the face of fear, uncertainty and loss, two remarkable things emerged: the compassion of neighbours and a strong emergency response system that operated effectively and with humanity.
This was not just a story about fire alarms and firehoses. It is a story of neighbours pounding on doors to wake sleeping families, strangers handing over spare reading glasses, and neighbours delivering breakfasts to evacuees. It’s about people unable to simply stand by and do nothing.
This is a story of a city with its priorities straight and effective systems in place to support the people in need.
Let’s start with the formal response: Prince George Fire Rescue responded swiftly, dispatching 19 firefighters from four stations.
Deputy Chief Brian Burleigh confirmed that crews arrived to find fire erupting from the roof.
Their immediate and unambiguous priority: saving lives. They did so through floor-by-floor searches and swift evacuations, some of which were via ladders, even before tackling the blaze.
Their actions, supported by smart fire-resistant building design — particularly firewalls — prevented an even worse disaster.
Thanks to their quick work, the fire was contained, and injuries were limited to minor cases. No lives were lost. That’s not accidental, that’s not luck. That’s preparation in action.
Just as crucial was the city’s emergency management infrastructure. Tanya Spooner, the city’s emergency services manager, led a calm, co-ordinated effort to support the displaced.
Within hours, a reception centre was up and running behind the Kin 2 arena. Residents were registered, accounted for, and connected with temporary accommodations.
Agreements with local hotels and businesses were ready to be activated if needed.
Spooner’s team, trained and prepared, assisted evacuees not only with logistics, but with the emotional weight of losing a home. While their work was invisible to most of the community, it remains absolutely vital.
Beyond any official response, though, it was the ordinary people of Prince George who truly showed what community resilience is all about.
Stories abound.
A neighbour named Rita pounding on a door until Charlene Halladay woke up and escaped.
Elderly residents with walkers and in wheelchairs pushing each other to safety.
A 95-year-old deaf resident, rescued by responders.Neighbours from across the street offering blankets, chairs, and snacks for while worried residents watched the fire spread through their homes.
Others welcomed the displaced into their homes, offering warmth, restrooms, and, in one extraordinary case, a neighbour set up a table of McDonald’s breakfasts and coffee.
A few days later, a local business owner who lost his own home to fire as a child launched a GoFundMe to raise money to augment the support displaced tenants are already receiving.
These days, headlines (including ours) often dwell on division and dysfunction. But last week, Prince George offered a powerful reminder: community is a lifeline in times of crisis, and an efficient, capable emergency response systems plays a vital role.
As resident Ann Ballinger put it simply and powerfully: “If you lose that kindness, you’ve lost the world.”
Prince George’s response was not just about professional execution — though that was commendable — but about a culture of care. It’s about helping your neighbours. It’s about showing up, even if you’re still in your nightgown and slippers.
As investigations continue and rebuilding begins, this fire will undoubtedly be an unforgettable chapter in the lives of those affected. But it will also be remembered as a moment when a community proved its strength — not just in fighting flames, but in supporting one another.
In tragedy, Prince George demonstrated something both rare and worth celebrating: a community response that was as immediate as it was heartfelt.
That, more than anything, is what kept people safe, and gave them hope on a day of loss.
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