UPDATE: 4:50 p.m.

A blaze that sparked at an apartment building at 560 Sutherland Avenue is believed to have started inside the walls of one of the units. 

Larry Watkinson, Chief of Operations with the 91大黄鸭 Fire Department, said crews were able to source the location and quickly knock down the blaze. 

鈥淲e're just going over right now making sure there's no extension into the attic space. We are ventilating the building and making sure that it's safe for the residents to return if we can,鈥� said Watkinson. 

He said it appeared to be electrical in nature as there was some sort of work being done to the building previously in the day. 

No injuries were reported. 

鈥淲e're just making sure the residents are getting out of the cold and into (an arranged) city bus, and we're going to make sure that those who were displaced are looked after with emergency support services,鈥� explained Watkinson. 

There may have been three units affected by the incident. 

Watkinson said residents of the building were alerted to the fire thanks to a working smoke detector.

鈥淚t is a good point to push to our community right now, especially as we move into the Christmas holidays and you know a good time to again verify your smoke alarms that might be 10 years old and its batteries are good and live,鈥� he added. 

A nearby church was also opened to allow those affected to come inside and get warm while they waited for more information on the status of their homes. 

Sutherland remains closed between Richter and Pandosy while crews are on scene. 

UPDATE: 4:20 p.m.

Emergency crews are reporting the fire has been knocked down and that the building is being searched. 

It appears smoke from the fire has spread to multiple units. 

The cause of the blaze is not yet known. 

Emergency Social Services is en route to help those evacuated. 

St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral is opening to provide a warm space to those affected.

UPDATE: 4:12 p.m.

Sutherland Avenue is closed from Richter to Pandosy Street due to a fire in the apartment building. 

One lane of Richter is blocked southbound from Sutherland to Elliot Avenue 

Multiple fire crews are on scene along with RCMP and BC Ambulance. 

Sutherland Manor has been evacuated and water can be seen pouring from the building. 

It appears the smoke is coming from a second floor unit and smoke can be seen billowing into the unit above. 

Fire crews are responding to a blaze inside a unit on the third floor of Sutherland Manor in 91大黄鸭.

The incident was first reported just before 4 p.m. 

Flames can reportedly be seen inside the building at 560 Sutherland Avenue. 

Capital News has a reporter headed to the scene. More to come.