Lucky escape from house fire

Neighbours called the fire service early on Thursday

A couple were fortunate to escape serious injury after a fire at their home in Oxfordshire.

One person managed to escape through a living room window while the other was rescued by fire crews from the house in Blenheim Drive, Bicester.

They were both taken to hospital suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke.

The fire which engulfed the kitchen is thought to have started from a chip pan.

Neighbours called the emergency services and woke up the couple at about 0100 GMT on Thursday.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the batteries had been removed from a smoke alarm in the house and if it had not been for the prompt action of the neighbours the incident could have been much more serious.