A New Westminster man is grateful a fire alarm awakened him in time to escape an early morning blaze.

Don Rock, who moved into the building at 352 Hospital St. only five days ago, and several other residents are looking for new homes following the fire that broke out about 1 a.m. Saturday.

Rock said he was sleeping in his apartment on the third floor when he heard the fire alarm sound.

Rock believes all of his possessions were lost in the fire, but he's not complaining.

"Let's put it this way," Rock told CBC News. "Had I not heard the alarm and probably five minutes after that fact I would have been dead, so I feel very blessed to be frank with you."

There was no word on the extent of the damage to the building, nor when residents might be able to return.

Fire officials said there was nothing to indicate the fire was arson and its cause remains under investigation.