About 40 people were injured on Thursday when a big fire broke out in German city Stuttgart, according to German media Focus.

The incident took place in an underground parking garage of an apartment building on the morning of New Year's Day. Dense smoke rose through open doors and spread to other areas of the building, local police told media.

Firefighters have fought against the flames until the early morning hours and rescued more than 90 residents living in the building.

Among those injured, nine people reportedly suffered severe smoke poisoning and have been taken to hospitals. Others have been treated at the site.

According to first investigations, two motorcycles in the garage went up in flames and set cars on fire. A police spokesman said it remained unclear whether the fire was caused by fireworks.