PRINCE George RCMP announced on Thursday that after reviewing the information by all stakeholders, there are no indications that the natural gas pipeline explosion that occurred in a rural area outside of Prince George in the late afternoon on October 9 was criminal in nature.

The RCMP has been working with Enbridge, the National Energy Board and Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause of the explosion.

Police assisted with the evacuation of approximately 100 residents as precaution, and they were allowed to return home within a couple of hours.

“Our top priority is to ensure public and officer safety,” said Inspector Shaun Wright, Operations Officer of Prince George RCMP. “Our investigators, along with Forensic Identification Services, have maintained security of the scene from the beginning and immediately engaged the assistance of our North District Major Crime Unit. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or damages to properties in the vicinity.”

The investigation has now been turned over to Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from National Energy Board and Enbridge.