Three people are in critical condition after a fire Friday morning at an East London rental house that was already the subject of fire code charges, officials say.
Firefighters were called to 745 Dundas St. shortly before 10 a.m. after smoke and flames were seen pouring from the building's second-floor windows.
London Fire Department Deputy Chief Gary Bridge said eight to 10 people were inside the house when crews arrived.
"There were a number of rescues including three individuals that were taken away my EMS in critical condition," said Bridge.
As of Friday afternoon, there was no update on the condition of the three people taken to hospital by the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service.
Bridge said the property had been the subject of an ongoing fire code investigation before Friday's blaze, though he declined to discuss the specific violations because the matter is before the courts.
"London fire has worked closely with the owner of this building," said Bridge. "And I can confirm there has been a number of fire code violations and charges are before the courts at this time."
He said fire code violations can involve issues such as smoke alarms, fire suppression systems and fire separations.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office and London police are investigating the cause of the fire because of the seriousness of the injuries.
Property records show the building is owned by Radium-1 Development Ltd., an Ontario corporation whose director is listed as Yasotharan Somalingam of Toronto.
CBC News called the company Friday but was told Somalingam was unavailable for comment.
CBC News also asked the city about the fire code violations Bridge mentioned, but was told they couldn't provide details.
In a statement, the city said, "As this is an evolving investigation in its early stages, it would be inappropriate to provide specifics related to any ongoing action taken by Municipal Compliance and/ or the Building Division of the City of London.
"Staff can confirm, though, that there are outstanding Property Standards and Building Code orders that building ownership had been made aware of earlier this year. Any further details will be shared when appropriate to do so."
Records available on the city's property portal show that in February, the city filed a "failure to comply" order against the property. The order says the building had been converted into multiple residential units without first obtaining a building permit.
Daniel Boudreau said he woke shortly before 10 a.m. to smoke filling his basement apartment and the sound of smoke alarms. He said he has lived in the building for 18 years.
"My apartment was filled with smoke, so I grabbed what little I could and left," he said.
Outside, he saw firefighters battling the blaze while paramedics treated one of the injured.
Boudreau said the building changed about a year ago when, he alleges, squatters began moving into the upper floors. He also alleged the property has since become known for drug activity.
In January, a fatal shooting at the house left one man dead and another seriously injured.
"It's got to be the most notorious building in London," Boudreau said.
Residents won't be returning 'anytime soon:' fire
Bridge said the damage is so extensive that residents won't be able to return for some time.
"As a result of the fire, nobody will be returning to this building anytime soon. There's significant damage to this building," he said. London Fire is working with the Canadian Red Cross and other community partners to arrange temporary accommodations for displaced residents.
Dundas Street was closed between Lyle and Rectory streets for several hours while emergency crews responded and investigators examined the scene. The road reopened Friday afternoon.