The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is investigating a fire Tuesday morning that claimed the life of one person and left two others seriously injured. 

The blaze broke out just after 1 a.m. in a two-and-a-half-storey multi-family residence in the 300 block of College Avenue.

Heavy smoke and flames were pouring out of the building when crews arrived. Firefighters entered the burning structure and fought the fire from inside. It was declared under control shortly after 2 a.m.

Firefighters searched the building and located one person. They were declared dead at the scene. All other residents were able to self-evacuate before crews arrived at the scene. Two of them were assessed at the scene and transported to hospital in unstable condition.

Evacuees were sheltered in a Winnipeg Transit Bus and have since been assisted by the City of Winnipeg's Emergency Social Services team to help them find temporary accommodations.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.