Fire crews attended the building on Hanover Street and King William Street, Fitzroy, after being alerted by an automatic alarm just after 6am on Thursday.

Firefighters managed to control a fire in the bin room after about 15 minutes but smoke spread to the foyer.

The residents were safely evacuated, the MFP said.

They were allowed back inside about 9am.

Five people were assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation, but no one was taken to hospital, an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said.

Australian Associated Press