Huge fire breaks out at high-rise apartment building in Ulsan, South Korea

A huge fire has spread has through a high-rise apartment building in South Korea.

A large ball of orange flame could be seen soaring up the 33-floor building and shooting through the roof as firefighters battled to put out the blaze.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated as the fire broke out, while workers rescued another 77 who had escaped to the roof or other spaces.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries from the blaze in the port city early on Friday.

An apartment building is engulfed in a flames in Ulsan (AP)

South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety said at least 88 people were treated for minor injuries such as scratches or lightly inhaling smoke.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which they said was nearly put out as of 9am local time (1am UK time).