Gatineau Fire says though no injuries were reported, over 200 people were evacuated from their apartments Saturday night after a fire broke out at a seniors’ residence in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau, Que.

Firefighters say they received a call around 9:20 p.m. reporting a fire at 166 Rue Principal. When crews arrived on scene, they found some residents waiting for rescue on their balconies.

According to its website, the Aylmer Arms residence is a non-profit organization that provides affordable homes for retired and semi-retired seniors.

The city’s fire service said in a news release Sunday aerial ladders were necessary to evacuate the residents that were on their balconies near the fire. Firefighters add that the smoke made the process more complicated.

The fire was said to be under control at 2 a.m. The Red Cross had to take care of more than 30 victims who were displaced from their homes.

“It was a really traumatic night,” said Jeanetta Stuckless, who lives in the building.

“I’m thinking, my gosh, I could die here if I fall or something. You could suffocate very fast. And that black smoke when you can’t see where you’re going or anything. It was very scary.”

Michael March told CTV News on Sunday that his mother has been displaced by the fire.

“When she opened up the door, it was a thick, thick smoke she couldn’t see,” he said.

He says he told her to get a face cloth from her washroom, wet it and put it over her face.

“By time she came down. She was pitch black. The face cloth that she had was completely black. Her hair was black,” he said.

Fire crews remain on site to determine the cause of the fire.

The fire damage is estimated to cost $3 million, the fire service said.