Kids sound alarm in Delta apartment fire

Children are being credited with sounding the alarm in an apartment fire in Delta, B.C., early Tuesday.

Several residents of the building, near Scott Road and Nordel Way, told CBC Newsthey were awakened just after 6 a.m.PT by children running through the halls yellingthere was a fire.

Smokecould be seenpouring from the roof of the three-storey building in the community southeast of Vancouver.

At least six fire trucks were on the scene. Several peopleon the upper floors of the buildingreportedly were rescued by ladder from balconiesand windows. Paramedics said eight people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.

The 85-unit wood-frame building was not equipped with sprinklers or firewalls, and it took crews several hours to get the blaze under control, fire officials said.

Awakened by children

Some residents speculated that the fire may have started in a third-floor suite when a resident's coffeemaker exploded, but fire officials were unable to comment on the cause of the blaze.

Gladice Silvus said she was awakened by the children who were yelling and rushed to get herself and her paralyzed husband out of the building. She was concerned about retrieving her husband's medication and where they would stay overnight.

Residents were being directed tothe nearbyKennedy Seniors Recreation Centre on 88th Avenueto register with officials and wait until emergency shelter could be arranged.