Dozens of people are homeless and an entire city is under a boil water advisory after a massive fire in White Rock Sunday morning.

The blaze began around 5 a.m. at a construction site at Pacific Avenue and Johnston Road.

The structure was completely destroyed, and wind spread the fire to a nearby 60-unit apartment building and business development.

All residents were evacuated, and EMS confirmed two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.  

Officials say the occupied building sustained considerable damage, and it’s not immediately clear if residents will ever be able to return home.

Smoke from the massive blaze could be seen for kilometres. Witnesses reported hot embers from the fire landing on their roofs, decks, and cars.

Renee Bertrand lives in the building, but was away for the night. When she came home her building was on fire.

“I’ve got the clothing on my back, and my dogs,” she told CTV News. “It’s really heartbreaking.”

Deanna Whissel’s clothing store was one of 10 businesses on the ground floor of the complex.

“We were just about to celebrate five years next week – wow, that’s hard to say out loud,” Whissel said, noting that she’s most concerned about the customers who live in the building.

“This is our business, not our home.”

WR Fire

Fire crews used so much water to counter the blaze that low water pressure was reported throughout White Rock. A boil water advisory has been issued by the city, and could last up to 48 hours.

Officials are asking residents to conserve as much water as possible.

Surrey Fire was called in to help battle the blaze, which burned all the way through to Sunday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson