Hundreds of people have been evacuated from historic village of Laerdalsoyri in southern Norway as a raging fire threatens its unique wooden buildings.

Flames spread rapidly after the fire began overnight in a house in Laerdalsoyri, a village of 1,150 people in Laerdal, on Sognefjord fjord.

At least 52 people received hospital treatment but no deaths were reported.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from historic village of Laerdalsoyri in southern Norway as a raging fire threatens its unique wooden buildings

Flames have spread to at least 23 buildings, fanned by strong winds, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports.

Emergency services are counting on the arrival of a firefighting helicopter on Sunday to help contain the blaze, while local farmers are helping the firefighters.

The Laerdal district contains a stave church and many other historic wooden buildings, hundreds of years old, much visited by tourists.