Burn victim dies, 2 still missing in Prince George hotel fire
Investigators to search fire site when it's deemed safe
A man critically burned in Tuesday's hotel fire in Prince George, B.C., died Wednesday morning, while two people believed to be inside the building when the fire broke out are still unaccounted for.
The 58-year-old burn victim was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital in serious condition after being rescued from the blaze by firefighters. Two other people rescued from the blaze were treated for smoke inhalation.
The two missing men were among the 10 residents who lived in the Columbus Hotel on 3rd Avenue, police said. The building, constructed in 1920, also contained a bar and a strip club.
RCMP fire investigators said they will sift through the remains of the hotel when the site is deemed safe.
A few hot spots flared overnight but investigators still hoped to begin combing through what's left of the hotel on Wednesday, fire officials said.
The blaze, which began Tuesday around 6:30 a.m. PT, took firefighters most of the day to put out and cool down, deputy fire Chief John Lane said.
One of the people rescued by firefighters was a Vancouver dancer who identified herself as only Jessica.
She told CBC News she had just arrived at the hotel Tuesday morning to work at the strip club.
"The fire alarms were going off and I ignored it," she said Tuesday.
"Then I heard something happening in the hallway. I opened the door. The smoke was there. I threw my stuff out and then waited for the firemen to come," she said.