Flames shoot out of windows as apartment building burns in downtown Charlottetown

Firefighters and police are on the scene of an active fire at 88 Sydney St. in downtown Charlottetown. 

One person was hanging out the window when emergency crews arrived, but was able to get out on their own, firefighters told CBC News. Two people have been taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.

The building's owner did not want to do an interview, but said there are 12 people who live in the building, which has 12 units.

Firefighters said it's a stubborn blaze to fight because it's an older building and they had to cut holes in the roof to be able to get at the flames. They expect to be on the scene all night and are asking people to stay away. 

Some streets in the downtown area were blocked off due to the fire, and police officers were going door to door in the neighbourhood of the burning building to ensure people are evacuated. 

The burning building is located just down the block from the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, which posted at 3:30 p.m. that it was closing early due to the fire.

The Canadian Red Cross is on the scene helping people who lived in the building and are now without somewhere to stay.