University fire treated as arson

Some students were led to safety by police

A major fire at an Oxford University college, which led to the evacuation of student accommodation, is being treated as arson.

Up to 100 students were moved into temporary shelter after the fire broke out at Warnock House, Hertford College, in St Aldates in the early hours.

A gas main was also damaged in the blaze and the area remains cordoned off while engineers examine the problem.

The high street is not closed but congestion is expected later.

Police had led some students to safety before fire crews arrived.

Incident commander John Nixon, from Oxfordshire Fire Service, said: "Although the fire had spread to the outside of the building we were fortunate that had we not arrived as quickly as we did, we could have been talking about the main building actually burning.

"It had also spread to the rear of the Head of the River pub so that has been affected as well."

Rooms damaged

Engineers have been on site and isolated the problem with the gas main and made it safe.

Most students have now been allowed back into their rooms.

A spokesperson for Hertford College said: "The building was safely evacuated and all students relocated to the college's nearby Graduate Centre.

"The emergency services were swiftly on site and quickly got the fire under control. "

The college said that four student rooms had been damaged and those affected were being temporarily re-housed.

The kitchen at Warnock House will be closed until 28 January and additional meals will be served on the main college site.

The source of the fire is thought to be a bin in a public right of way that runs between the pub and the student accommodation.

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze.