A 17-year-old girl is recovering in hospital after rescuing children from a burning apartment complex in Tetaskwayak Cree Nation.

Thompson Rural RCMP, First Nations Safety Officers and firefighters from neighbouring communities responded to the apartment building Saturday around 2:20 p.m.

Flames and large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing out of the complex.

Police say a 17-year-old girl risked her life and saved children from an upstairs apartment. As she was rescuing the last child, a two-year-old boy, she lost consciousness due to smoke inhalation. Both the girl and child were rescued by firefighters and transported to hospital, where they remain in stable, but critical condition.

Over 40 people have been displaced due to the fire. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. 

The investigation continues.