A person is alive today thanks to the quick actions of their neighbours.

Firefighters were called to the 1500 block of Alexandar Ave. Sunday around 1:20 p.m. the City of Winnipeg says. When crews arrived they saw heavy black smoke coming from the house.

Two people had been inside when the fire started. One of them was able to get outside on their own, but another was trapped on the second floor.

The city says that two neighbours used a ladder and got it to one of the upper-floor windows to help the person escape.

Both people from the home were taken to hospital in stable condition. There were no other injuries reported.

Firefighters initially started with an offensive attack but were forced to leave the building due to unsafe conditions. The fire took almost two hours to get under control, with firefighters battling the blaze until 3 p.m.

Residents from neighbouring homes were also evacuated as a precaution, but the fire did not spread to other buildings.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and there is no word on damages at this time.