TORONTO, Ont. – Five people were taken to hospital following an early-morning fire in the city’s east-end, Tuesday.

The fire broke out just after 1 a.m. on Canlish Road, near Lawrence Avenue East and Birchmount Road.

Firefighters rescued three people trapped inside the burning home, including one person who had no pulse.

“We were given information that there were people trapped,” a fire official told CityNews Channel. “Our crews rapidly went in and pulled out three people.”

Two of the three – identified by CityNews as a grandmother and grandfather – remain in critical condition. Three others have since been released, including a woman who managed to escape with her toddler. Both suffered minor injuries.

Officials said the fire started in a cube van parked in the driveway before spreading to the house, but a thorough investigation into the cause is needed.

Damage to the house is estimated at $300,000.

At its height, 12 trucks and 40 firefighters were called in to battle the blaze.