Robert De Niro's New York City apartment has been damaged by a fire.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Friday afternoon and quickly extinguished the flames.

De Niro was not at home when the fire broke out and reports suggest the actor is in fact out of the country.

The blaze began on the fourth floor of the 88 Central Park West building; the Cape Fear star lives on the fifth floor.

There were no reported injuries and at press time the extent of the damage is unclear.