A resident of a rooming house in New Westminster says he is lucky to be alive after fire ripped through a three-storey building early Friday.

Troy Peters had just woken up to get ready for work, when he heard screaming coming from within the building, he told CBC News.

He dressed quickly, grabbed his wallet and jacket, and ran out of his apartment.

"I was surrounded by billowing smoke, I just ran to the fire exit," he said.

"I'm lucky to be alive."

Fire crews received a call about the fire at 1009 6th Avenue at 6.10 a.m.

On arrival, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the building, Deputy Chief John Hatch said.

A total of five occupants were rescued from the building by fire crews, Hatch said. There were no injuries sustained.

He said they are trying to trace a further three people who have been known to occupy the rooming house.

The cause of the fire is unknown.