Three people were taken to hospital Friday evening after a fire broke out in a downtown apartment.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews were called to reports of a fire at a four-story apartment building in the 200 block of Vaughan Street around 6:50 p.m.

Firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from the building. They helped evacuate residents trapped inside, while others were able to get out on their own.

Crews fought the fire from the interior and declared it under control at 7:16 p.m.

All three people were taken to hospital in stable condition.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Residents living in apartments that were not damaged by the fire have returned home.