They were woken by the sort of alarm many in Prince George, B.C., have come to dread.

A fire that forced residents of the historic Columbus Hotel to exit through windows, or climb down ladders, leaving the rooms, where many boarded long term.

As well, two of the estimated ten residents have been declared missing. Officials are unsure whether the pair spent the night in the Columbus or not.

At this point the cause of the fire is unknown.

The building dates back to the 1920's. Once a hospitality hot spot in the city, the Columbus had become more rooming house than hotel in recent years. The main floor lounge showcasing exotic dancers.

The morning flames were a painful reminder of another massive blaze that just last may destroyed the Canfor Corp. central plywood plant, and spread, taking 260 full time jobs down with it.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Sarah Galashan.