No one was injured but people had to be evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night because of a fierce fire in an apartment at Msida seafront tonight.

The blaze was noticed at about 12.30 a.m. in a second floor apartment occupied by a 49-year-old man who lives alone. It was caused by an electric blanket. The man and his daughter, who lives in the same block, were treated on the spot for smoke inhalation.

Four fire engines from the Civil Protection Department's Corradino and Floriana stations were quickly on the scene and a tower ladder was deployed to enable the firemen to fight the blaze.

People living in neighbouring apartments were evacuated. The facade of the apartments above the fire were badly charred.