20 displaced from Moncton apartment building after early morning fire

About 20 people were forced to flee their apartment building early Thursday morning following a fire in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The Canadian Red Cross says the blaze left part of the 12-unit, three-storey building extensively damaged and caused smoke or water damage throughout.

The Moncton fire department says the fire on MacAleese Lane was reported around 4:30 a.m. and appeared to start in the basement.

It says two tenants were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, while others were checked at the scene by paramedics.

The Red Cross says it is helping tenants with emergency lodging, food and clothing.