Three-storey apartment building heavily damaged in an early morning fire in Penticton

A three-storey apartment building near the shores of Skaha Lake on Penticton's southeast side has been heavily damaged in an early morning fire.

Social media posts from the Penticton fire department show flames engulfing most of the top floor of the 30 unit complex.

The blaze was so intense that firefighters are still waiting to conduct a sweep through the building to ensure everyone made it out safely.

Crews from Summerland helped their Penticton counterparts control the fire while displaced residents have been taken to a city-run reception centre and will be housed temporarily in area hotels.