An early morning vehicle fire that spread into a downtown apartment left residents out in the cold Friday.

The blaze was sparked around 7 a.m. at the rear of the building near the Schubert Centre Jan. 3.

"No injuries have been reported and we've just accounted for all the residents," said deputy fire chief Alan Hofsink.

Emergency Social Services is on route to assist the approximately 30 to 40 residents, some of which have mobility issues. 

Single-lane alternating traffic is opening on 30th Avenue, which was closed for several hours while crews contained the blaze and sanding was needed on the icy road.

It's unknown how long residents will be displaced as smoke, water and fire damage is assessed.

"It could be a day, could be a couple days," said Hofsink.

One of the residents of the building, whose car was also destroyed in the blaze, says the vehicles weren't plugged in and he suspects arson.

"I got out with just my boots and no socks, my teeth are still on the counter," he told The Morning Star.

"I just wanna get back in and get my teeth."

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are investigating the cause of the blaze.