The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed a fire in its team’s building for the Rio Games prompted an evacuation of staff and athletes.

It is the latest accommodation setback for both the organisers and the Australian team, with bosses having been initially reluctant to move in to due to safety fears.

The AOC said on Twitter: “There has been a small fire in the basement of the team building in the Olympic Village. All athletes and staff were evacuated and are fine.

“The cause of the fire is unknown and we have just been let back into the building.

“The fire brigade were quickly on the scene and the AOC’s emergency management plan was put in place.

“All athletes were safely evacuated and are now back in the building.”