A late-afternoon house fire in the east end of St. John’s sent one person to hospital in critical condition.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon emergency crews were called to a home on Newfoundland Drive. When firefighters arrived they found heavy fire and smoke in the basement apartment of the dwelling. Residents upstairs had been alerted to the fire by neighbours, and were able to escape the home uninjured.

Firefighters removed one person from the basement apartment and carried them to a waiting ambulance. They were taken to hospital in what was described as critical condition.

The basement apartment of the home sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage. The upstairs residence sustained some smoke damage. Fire crews were on the scene for over an hour ensuring no hot spots remained.

A cat was also reported missing in the ordeal. The scene was later handed over to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for investigation.