Business owners in downtown Prince George are calling for a local state of emergency to be declared after a recent series of fires have threatened their businesses.

In the past week alone, fires were set outside the Nancy O's and Betulla Burning restaurants, which led owner Eoin Foley to send an email on Friday to Mayor Simon Yu, council, MPs, MLAs, RCMP and local media to draw attention to the matter.

"Business owners are in a desperate crisis," said Foley, who is also president of the downtown business association. "This is a constant, daily threat. If this does not constitute [the need for] emergency action, what possibly does?

"I am very grateful that Nancy O's did not burn to the ground," he said, noting the scorch marks on the building.

The fire issue has become a flashpoint sinc

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