Fire crews were called to a fire in the downtown area of Nanaimo close to 1am on Saturday.
When crews arrived they found one suite, in the five unit residential building, fully involved in flames.
Firefighters did manage to contain the blaze to the one suite, but there was heavy smoke damage in the other suites and no power.
All 18 residents escaped from the building but one did suffer from some burns.
The occupants have been relocated to temporary accommodations.
An investigation into the fire is underway.
