Man dies in Winnipeg rooming house fire

A man has died from injuries suffered in a fire at a rooming housein Winnipeg.

Emergency crews were called at about 5 a.m. WednesdaytoEnfield Crescent, near Marion Street, in the city's St. Boniface neighbourhood.

Fire officials said it appears the blaze started in the basement, where the man lived.

Other residents told fire fighters the man was trapped down there.

When crews were able to put out the flames and reach the man, he was found lying on the floor in the kitchen.

He was rushed to hospital in critical condition but later pronounced dead.

Seven other people inthe three-storey housemanaged toescape unharmed and firefighters are letting them in to get belongings.

"It kind of freaked me out.It was pretty smoky," said JuneJubinville, one of the residents, who was sleeping when the fire broke out.

"The neighbour downstairs came and banged on our door and said that we had to get out."

There is no word on the cause of the fire.

Enfield is closed to traffic between Horace Street and Marion Street.