British ColumbiaThe Crossroads Brewing and Distillery building in downtown Prince George, B.C., was engulfed by flames early Friday morning, just as it was set to play host to a late-summer street festival.Brewery has been a key business in Prince George since opening in 2017, was set to host festival SaturdayThe downtown location of CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery after being gutted by an early morning fire in Prince George, B.C., early on Sept. 5, 2025. (Nicole Oud/CBC)A key business in downtown Prince George, B.C., has been gutted by an early morning fire just before it was set to host a late-summer street festival.Prince George Fire Rescue Chief Bryan Burleigh told CBC News crews were called to CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery at George Street and 5th Avenue around 2:30 a.m. after a commercial fire alarm went off.When crews arrived, Burleigh said, they found heavy fire burning in the building’s roof.He said the fire has been contained to its point of origin but crews were still working to deal with its impact by Friday afternoon.WATCH | Flames engulf brewery: Early morning fire engulfs Crossroads Brewing in downtown Prince GeorgeAn early morning fire in Downtown Prince George has damaged a local brewery and restaurant. Nicole Oud is joining us from the scene. “Firefighting efforts will go on for the majority of the day,” he said.Much of George Street near the site remained closed Friday morning, along with parts of nearby Queensway. Burleigh said heavy water flow is affecting surrounding areas and streets will reopen when it is safe to do so.RCMP are investigating.A key downtown businessCrossRoads is less than 300 metres from city hall and has been a cornerstone of the city’s downtown since it opened in 2017.At the time, its founders said they wanted to prove the small brewery model could work in the city, which serves a population of about 90,000, and that they chose their downtown location as an investment in the neighbourhood, which has at times struggled to attract visitors.In 2019, then-mayor Lyn Hall credited the presence of CrossRoads in part for the construction of new housing developments in the area.CrossRoads has also opened a second location, in the College Heights neighbourhood, and been joined by two other local breweries who help co-host regular celebrations highlighting small-scale breweries throughout northern B.C.The brewery was supposed to be hosting its annual late-summer street festival on Saturday, which brings live music and games to the roads immediately surrounding the business.’Our story has not ended’In a social media post credited the to the breweries co-founder and owner Daryl Leiski, the brewery says it is devastated by the loss.However, it also thanks the community for rallying around it and indicates there are plans to rebuild.”The support from fellow breweries has been swift and overwhelming, with offers to assist in production and packaging. Our community’s response has been incredible, and we are humbled by your kind words and offers of support,” the post reads.”Downtown Prince George is where we flourished and grew, and we plan on continuing to do so. We hope to resume production as soon as possible with the assistance of our fellow breweries. Our story has not ended.”BCGEU picket line closedThe fire also affected striking members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), who had been picketing a block away at 1011 4th Ave. since job action began Tuesday.BCGEU communication coordinator Aaron Donovan confirmed the site was shut down due to smoke. The union has moved to a “virtual picket” until conditions improve.The fire prompted road closures around George Street and 5th Avenue. (Nicole Oud/CBC)The union’s job action is now in its fourth day after public sector unions escalated strike activity Thursday. The BCGEU, which represents more than 34,000 public service workers including firefighters, correctional officers, sheriffs and administrative professionals, is seeking an 8.25 per cent wage increase over two years plus cost-of-living adjustments.With files from Nicole Oud
Early morning fire engulfs Crossroads Brewing in downtown Prince George
