Winnipeg fire crews are busy Tuesday morning, battling a fire in the city's West End. 

The blaze broke out at around 11:42 p.m. on Monday in a vacant, three-storey apartment complex in the 600 block of Sherbrook Street.

When crews arrived on scene, heavy smoke could be seen billowing out of the building. A defensive attack was launched as fire conditions made it unsafe for firefighters to enter the building.

Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene for most of the day as they work to extinguish the blaze and protect a neighbouring house from damage.

As a result, traffic will be slow going through the area.

Sherbrook Street is closed between Sargent Avenue and Cumberland Avenue, and Cumberland Avenue is closed between Maryland Street and Sherbrook Street.

No injuries have been reported at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available but the building had suffered damage from a previous fire and is expected to be a complete loss.