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London apartment fire claims one life

Oct. 10, 2013, London, Ont. – One person is dead and 20 others – including four firefighters – have been sent to hospital after a deadly overnight fire at a seniors' apartment building in London, Ont.

The blaze broke out around 3:30 a.m. at the 15-storey, 132-unit highrise building which is home to mostly low-income or disabled seniors.

Officials say it's believed the flames started in a unit on the second floor and quickly spread to several other floors.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the Ontario Fire Marshal has been called in to assist with the investigation.

While emergency officials have confirmed one fatality, there's no immediate word on the person's name, age or gender.

Officials had few details on the nature and severity of injuries to residents being treated in hospital, but a fire department spokesman said injuries to the four London firefighters were mostly minor.

"These were more twists and sprains," said Dean Baker. "No smoke inhalation, everyone had their equipment on."

Firefighters were expected to remain on the scene most of Thursday.

Emergency personnel described the blaze as a "serious structure fire," saying they were faced with "immense heat" while trying to enter the building.