A PUB roof had to be dismantled to stop the entire building burning down from a chimney fire.

About 25 firefighters tackled Saturday's blaze at the 17th century White Horse in Duns Tew, between Banbury and Bicester.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at about 7.30pm to a report of chimney fire that had spread to the roof.

Deddington firefighters were first on scene and found the fire spreading into the roof. The pub was open at the time of the fire.

They used ladders to remove sections of the roof and tackled the fire from outside and within the building.

The scene was made safe in about three hours and sheeting was placed on the roof.

The pub is open today.

Incident commander John Nixon said: "I believe the initial action taken by arriving fire crews prevented the whole roof of the pub becoming involved therefore mitigating the overall damage to the property, hopefully this will assist with the pub getting back to business as quickly as is possible."

Four fire engines, a hydraulic platform ladder and a salvage vehicle attended from Deddington, Banbury, Kidlington and Eynsham.