The fire that burned down Boston Pizza started outside at ground level and climbed up into the roof before it took off and consumed most of the restaurant, the attached Blockbuster Video outlet and an office in the rear.
"Certainly there was evidence from both physical sources at the scene, from interviews, as well as some photographic evidence from before our arrival which made it as conclusive as possible that the area of origin was the base of one of the pillars in the patio area," Prince George Fire Rescue Service chief John Lane told The Citizen.
According to investigators, the light construction material of the pillar allowed the fire to climb quickly to the eaves and into the loft.
"The other complicating factor at this fire was there appeared to be no fire stops anywhere in the roof area, so it was an open space above the entire structure," said Lane. "Those structural conditions are very conducive to fire spread."
Within 10 to 12 minutes of active fire, the light truss system of any warehouse-like building is structurally compromised beyond the safety of firefighters, said Lane.
"There is very compelling evidence that it was burning for some period of time before staff were alerted to smoke in the building and we were called," he explained. He would not disclose details of the evidence itself, like how photographs came to their attention.
They were able to salvage some materials - computers, filing cabinets, etc. - from the three businesses.
The office was let to Rise Construction / Malaspina Ridge Enterprises and, said Lane, would be able to reopen at a new location almost immediately.
The proprietors of Boston Pizza and Blockbuster Video were sought for comment but have so far not responded.
As was reported in Thursday's edition of The Citizen, the cause of the fire was improperly discarded smoking material consistent with a cigarette, cigar or marijuana joint.
