Langley senior killed in apartment fire

One person has died, three others are inhospital and dozens are out of their apartments following a fireat a Langley, B.C., seniors complex on Wednesday morning.

The fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. PTon the second floor of The Elm building, a four-storey seniorsapartment on 203 Street and 54 Avenue.

Firefighter had to evacuate several residents off their balconies after smoke filled the building.At least one person was taken to hospital in critical condition, and at least two others were recovering from smoke inhalation.

Initial reports indicated everyone had survived the fire but later in the day Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender confirmedthat one person's body was found ina hallway. The name of the victim has not been released.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, said Fassbender.

Ginger Sherlock, the emergency co-ordinator for the City and Township of Langley, said about 100 people were evacuated from the building, but she hopes at least 60 will be able to return home later today.

"They may not be mobile, but they're very resilient. These people understand patience. They understand that these guys are doing the best they can, and moving as fast as they can to get them back into their homes," said Sherlock.

The apartment building isa 104-unit complex run by the Langley Lions Senior Citizen Housing Society.