Two people are confirmed dead after a fire inside a crowded building in Toronto's Kensington Market early Thursday.


In total police and firefighters pulled 12 people from the building.


Police from 14 Division responded to a call about smoke in a building on St. Andrew Street. Police rescued a woman and a child before Toronto Fire Services arrived.


Firefighters rescued ten more individuals living in the multi-storey home, including two without vital signs. Among those rescued were children.


The building mostly has small, single occupancy rooms. The third floor is a larger apartment lived in by a family with two children.


When Toronto police arrived, they believed only one person was in the building, but discovered many more upon entering. Officials repeatedly made trips into the building until everyone was brought to safety.


On mobile? Listen to an official react to the rescue efforts here.