The fire service was called to reports of a fire in Victoria Road, Torquay earlier this evening.
Three fire engines from Torquay and Paignton were mobilised to the fire just before 7pm.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “On arrival crews discovered there was a fire in a ground floor flat of the three storey building which was used as a retail shop and flats.
“Crews used four breathing apparatus, one covering jet, one hose reel jet, thermal imaging camera and positive pressure ventilation to extinguish the fire”
