At least three people are dead and 30 missing after a fire broke out at a home for the elderly in Canada.

Neighbours rushed to rescue people from second floor balconies early Thursday morning, but failed because the fire spread too quickly.

Many of those unaccounted for use wheelchairs and some have Alzheimer's disease.

It could be days before all residents of the building's 52 apartments are accounted for.

Al Jazeera's Daniel Lak reports.