The Winnipeg Police Service says that a woman is dead following a house fire and police are asking for help.

Two people were taken to hospital, one in critical condition, following a fire Sunday evening.

Emergency crews we called to the 100 block of Scott St. around 11 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service says in a release.

When crews arrived they found a two-storey home engulfed with heavy smoke coming from the property. The WPS says that there is a commercial property on the ground floor and a residence on the second storey.

Emergency personnel were forced to remain outside and launch a defensive attack due to dangerous conditions in the building, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says. High heat and humidity also made the battle especially challenging for firefighters, and they were forced to utilize more frequent crew rotations than normal.

The WFPS says that two people were in the residence at the time of the blaze, but one was able to safely self-evacuate. They were taken to hospital in stable condition.

The second person in the home was found inside the home by firefighters and taken to hospital in critical condition. The WPS says that the woman in her 60s later succumbed to her injuries. The homicide unit is investigating and is asking anyone with information related to the fire to call 204.986.6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204.786.8477.

A firefighter was also assessed on-scene by paramedics but did not require further medical attention.

The fire was declared under control at 1 a.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. While no damage estimates are available, both the house and commercial structure suffered extensive fire, smoke, and water damage.

An earlier statement from the City of Winnipeg says that the fire was in the 300 block of Wardlaw Ave. The 100 block of Scott St. is on the corner of Scott St. and a back alley, a half block from Wardlaw.