Three people were taken to the hospital on Thursday morning after being rescued from a fire that broke out in a high-rise building in Ottawa.

Emergency crews were called to the east end of Donald Street in Overbrook around 6 a.m.

Mark Antoine Deschenes, an Ottawa paramedic, said that two children and a woman were in critical condition after suffering smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Deschenes added that five others were transported to the hospital in stable condition after suffering injuries ranging from mild smoke inhalation to exacerbations of their pre-existing health conditions. Six others were treated at the scene.

Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio told CBC that the fire broke out in a third-floor apartment and that people were rescued from the hallway.

The fire was brought under control by 7 a.m. and was fully extinguished shortly before 10:30. DeFazio said that many residents were displaced, and the Salvation Army was called to assist.

Ottawa Fire Chief Paul Hutt said that about 200 people were affected, and it is unclear when they might be able to return to their homes.

'I was scared'

Hutt mentioned that displaced persons were being asked to gather at the Overbrook Community Centre.

Tim Tierney, a member of the Beacon Hill-Cyrville council whose ward is in the Overbrook area, said, "This is extremely distressing. It’s probably one of the most vulnerable communities, and we need to ensure they are protected as best as we can."

Mahsa, an 11-year-old living on the eleventh floor of the building, spoke to CBC on behalf of her family due to a potential language barrier.

Her family made it partway down the stairs shortly after the fire alarm went off throughout the building, but they only reached the fifth floor before smoke and smell halted their progress.

Mahsa said, "We couldn't go down anymore because the situation was really bad. I was scared, and the smell was very terrible."

Karishma Rahmani was asleep on the seventh floor when her mother woke her to say there was a fire in the building.

Rahmani said, "When we opened the door, smoke filled the place and we couldn't see anything."

Her family was also prevented from descending to the fifth floor due to the thick black smoke. Rahmani said her family planned to head to the community center to find out where they could go next.

Ottawa police are warning drivers to expect significant delays in the area of St. Laurent Boulevard and Donald Street. Donald is closed east of St. Laurent and OC Transpo is rerouting bus lines 20 and 27.

Ottawa police did not indicate whether the fire was suspicious. The arson unit is working with Ottawa Fire Services and the Fire Marshal's office to determine the cause.