If all works out The Copper Pig BBQ House will reopen by the end of May, but owner Tyler Burbee still needs answers to key questions before he knows for sure.
The restaurant at 363 George St. remains standing after a spectacular fire leveled three historic buildings along the block early Monday morning but there was concern the blaze may have put the building's integrity in doubt.
Burbee is hoping inspectors will give it a passing grade sooner, rather than later.
"Right now, if everything is OK, we'll be good to go this month," Burbee said Wednesday. "If something's found that's compromising the structure, then who knows what the delays are going to be."
Along with the loss of revenue for Burbee, he said 23 people are out of work for at least the time being and noted that if they apply for Employment Insurance, they'll have to wait at least a month before they start receiving payments and they'll be less than what they earn at the restaurant.
"The uncertainty is terrifying," said Burbee, who was away in Edmonton when the fire broke out. He was notified at about 2:30 a.m. Alberta time on Monday.
"The outpour of support has been amazing," Burbee said. "I've had people say 'I'm down there right now with a shovel, what can I do?' to 'can we help you out with freezing your food?' or 'what can be done?
"But honestly, unless they're city engineers, nothing yet."
Meanwhile, the Prince George Red Cross's reception centre for residents left homeless by the fire at the Latitude apartment building closed up on Wednesday evening.
Red Cross volunteers provided information and coordinated services for 31 residents who were
displaced by the April 30 blaze at the 3712 Westwood Drive structure. The cause of the fire was deemed accidental.
Officials from the City of Prince George, the Salvation Army, Ministry of Social Development, BC Housing, Northern Health, and Prince George Native Friendship Center, and Ketso Yoh were also involved in the effort.
