Firefighters use ladders to rescue people trapped in a Winnipeg apartment fire

Five people were taken to hospital, two in critical condition, after Winnipeg firefighters worked to rescue people trapped in an apartment building fire.

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in a five-story building early Sunday morning and discovered several residents may have been trapped in their rooms, according to the City of Winnipeg.

Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building, and several residents were evacuated via aerial ladders.

Emergency personnel took five people to the hospital, two are in serious condition, three are in stable condition.

The cause of the fire is being determined, and the damage estimate is not yet available.

Residents were unable to return to the building due to smoke, fire and water damage, and the city's Emergency Social Services team was mobilized to help find temporary housing.