One person is in hospital in critical condition after firefighters made a dramatic rescue Thursday afternoon in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to a fire in a three-storey apartment building in the 200 block of Fountain Street just before 5 p.m.

When crews arrived they found several people leaning out of second-floor windows. Firefighters raised ground ladders up to the windows and rescued four occupants.

At the same time of the rescue firefighters rushed to fight the fire from inside. At that time crews located one additional unconscious occupant inside the building. The individual was brought out of the building and cared for by paramedics on scene before being transported to hospital in critical condition.

One additional occupant was assessed on scene but did not require transport to hospital. No additional injuries were reported.

The fire was declared under control at 5:49 p.m. The WFPS says they expect most occupants of the building will be able to return to their apartments.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available at this time.