Nine people, including an infant, were taken to the hospital after a fire at a London apartment building Saturday morning, according to first responders.
A fire started on the sixth floor 241 Simcoe Street, a high-rise residential building, around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, according to a social media post by the London Fire Department.
“First arriving crew was met with heavy fire and smoke with multiple rescues required,” the department said on social media.
Four people, including an infant, were taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to paramedics. Five were transported in critical condition.
Firefighters worked with the building management to establish a fire watch, they said on social media.
Later, a second fire broke out on a second floor balcony, but is now under control, according to firefighters. They said it was unrelated to the first fire.
The fire department is on site investigating the cause of the fire, the department said on social media and said they’ve asked the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office to investigate as well.
Emergency Management staff with the city set up a reception centre for evacuees unable to return to their units, the fire department said. Some city buses were also used to temporarily house evacuees, London police said.
Police said occupants are now being allowed back inside the building.
