3 taken to hospital, 2 in critical condition, after early morning fire in north Winnipeg

Three people have been taken tohospital, including two people in critical condition, after an early morning fire in north Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called with reportsof a fire around 3 a.m. at a three-storey commercial and residential mixed-use building in the 200 block of Atlantic Avenue,west of Main Street in the St. John's neighbourhood.

When crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were billowing from the building. Firefighters attacked the flames from inside the building, but as conditions worsened, they retreatedand used an aerial ladder to put out the fire.

Firefighters searched the building and took two people out. Other residents were able to get out before fire crews arrived.

Paramedics assessed multiple people at the scene. Two were taken tohospital in critical condition, and a third was taken to hospital in unstable condition.

A neighbouring building was also evacuated as a precaution, the release said.A Winnipeg Transit bus was sent to the scene to provide shelter, the city said in a Saturday morning news release.

The City of Winnipeg's emergency social services team was called to help the displaced residents find temporary accommodations.

Manitoba Hydro was on site to turn off the gas and power to some of the buildings in the area as a precaution.

Southbound Main Street between Inkster Boulevard and Cathedral Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue between Main Street and Charles Street will be closed to traffic while crews remain at the scene throughout the morning.

The city said the building suffered significant damage from the fire.The cause of the blazeremains under investigation.