Three adults and ten children are in hospital, including one with critical injuries, after a fire broke out at a residence in Hamilton on Friday evening.

The Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) said they were called to a two-storey residential home on Garden Crescent at around 6:30 p.m.

Crews arrived and were met with heavy smoke. HFD said firefighters made a quick entry and searched the home after reports that someone was inside.

A child was pulled out of the home and was transported to a local hospital, HFD said.

According to Hamilton paramedics, a total of 13 people were taken to hospital, including 10 children ranging in age from two to 17.

One of the children, a five-year-old, is in life-threatening condition. The others were transported to be assessed for smoke inhalation and are now in stable condition.

Paramedics added that the three other victims were adults – a man and two women. They said the man was sent to a burn trauma centre for smoke inhalation.

The cause and origin of the fire are unknown.