Prince George-  Damage is extensive, in what some are saying, was an explosion, followed by a fire at the Latitude, an apartment block housing 32 units near the intersection of Westwood and Massey just after 4.00am this morning.

On the scene reports say they first noticed a bit of smoke coming from the building and then all of  sudden there was an explosion and the fire really took off from there.

Emergency personnel are using the gym at the John McInnis  centre   to support their  actions at the  fire scene across the street.  The gym  was opened this morning to  be a "warm place" for those displaced by the fire, says School District 57 Superintendent Brian Pepper.   The John McInnis Centre is open today, as is Peden Hill School.

A resident of the complex says his family awoke to what they though may have been someone yelling followed by an explosion.

The extent of damage is yet to be known, or if anyone was injured in the blaze.

Police and fire investigators are on the scene.