The building was occupied by six-to-10 international students and is not known to be a properly approved or configured rooming house.

THUNDER BAY - A victim trapped in a house fire is in stable but critical condition following a fire at a Hartland Street residence.

Fire officials responded to the fire early Saturday morning.

According to a media release, firefighters assembled simultaneous fire attack and rescue of the trapped victim.

"Some of the occupants reported barely making it out of the building, literally escaping through the smoke with flames over their heads," the release issued Saturday afternoon said.

Once rescued from the fire, the victim was cared for by and is now reported to be in the ICU of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in stable but critical condition.

The building was occupied by six-to-10 international students and is not known to be a properly approved or configured rooming house.

Deputy Chief Greg Hankkio reinforced the importance of landlords ensuring their properties are properly equipped with working smoke alarms. “Landlords need to ensure that working smoke alarms are properly installed and maintained. This includes keeping appropriate records," he said.

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and Thunder Bay Police are working with a fire investigator from the Office of the Fire Marshal to determine the origin, cause and circumstances of this fire, and examine the fire code compliance of the property.