Several residents were rescued from their balconies on Friday afternoon after a fire broke out in the common area of an apartment block in Marsaskala, the Civil Protection Department said.

The CPD said on its Facebook page that it responded to reports of a blaze in the building, with firefighters from Fire Stations 1, 4 and 5 immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, emergency crews found electrical meters in the common area engulfed in flames, with smoke and fire conditions leaving a number of residents stranded on their balconies and in need of urgent assistance.

Firefighters swiftly launched a rescue operation, deploying the Station 4 32-metre turntable ladder as well as a 13.5-metre ladder to safely evacuate those trapped.

The fire was eventually brought under control by the responding crews, preventing it from spreading further through the building.

No injuries were reported in the incident.