Hunter Street was shut down between Mark Street and Burnham Street following a fire early Tuesday morning.
Police, firefighters and EMS crews were called to the three-storey building at about 4:50 a.m.
When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke billowing out of the windows. Officials on scene said firefighters helped six people inside the building get out.
“We thought it was someone pulling a prank. I ran outside without shoes and it was bad. Smoke right behind the alleyway. Smoke billowing out of all the windows on the second floor.” said Rick Smith, a resident who lives on the second floor.
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Peterborough police say one person had to be rescued from the second floor, and was treated on scene by fire crews then flown to a Toronto-based hospital where they remain with serious injuries.
ORNGE air told Global News that they transported a woman in her 30s to Sunnybrook hospital with critical injuries.
Peterborough Police said the fire was quickly brought under control and damages were contained to the second floor unit.
Smith, along with five others, are now staying in a hotel supplied by the city’s disaster trust fund.
“We’ve got a few days there while the investigation is underway. We’ll just go from there and figure out what’s next,” said Smith.
The Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Peterborough Fire Prevention Division is investigating the scene.
Hunter Street re-opened just before 11:30 a.m.
On Wednesday morning, police said they were no longer on scene.
“At this time the fire has been deemed non-suspicious in nature. There is no further police involvement,” police stated.