Seven people were forced from their homes after a water pipe burst at an apartment building in the Sydney area and caused flooding.

The pipe burst in a basement apartment in Whitney Pier around 4 a.m.

Fire officials say it happened close to an electrical panel, so they evacuated the building as a precaution.

The tenants were able to wait inside other units within the building until help arrived.

The Canadian Red Cross is assisting the five adults and two children, who are staying in a motel for now.

There is no word on the extent of the damage, or on how long repairs might take, at this time.