One person is dead following a Christmas morning blaze at a hotel in Manitoba's Central Plains region.
The fire broke out around 1:45 a.m. at a building in the community of Gladstone, Man., according to the Municipality of WestLake-Gladstone Mayor, Daryl Shipman.
The Mayor confirmed to Golden West that there was one fatality in the fire.
The Gladstone Hotel is a complete loss, and neighbouring heritage buildings were damaged.
Around a dozen apartments were also lost in the fire. Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke says in a social media post that several senior citizens lived in the apartments and are now homeless.
"Several people, including many seniors have lost their homes and I’m sure their personal belongings as well. This is so heartbreaking," Clarke says.
The Gladstone & Westbourne Fire Department responded to the call and put in a request for mutual aid from neighbouring communities. Firefighters from Neepawa and Plumas responded to the call for help. Shipman says he is grateful for the assistance from the other departments.
It's not clear at this time what caused the fire, or any other injuries.
Crews remained on the scene throughout Christmas Day and were asking the public to avoid the area.
Gladstone is approximately 120 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.