A MAN was last night fighting for his life in hospital after being pulled unconscious from a bedroom during a suspected arson at a care home.

The 48-year-old was pulled from a ground floor bedroom at The Knowl in Stert Street, Abingdon, yesterday by firefighters and was in a critical condition at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital as the Oxford Mail went to press.

Police launched a joint investigation with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service into the fire at the charity-run mental health rehabilitation and recovery centre.

They are treating the blaze as unexplained and said it could be arson.

Incident commander Graham Turner, a station commander based at Didcot fire station, said: “The resident was in the ground floor bedroom where we believe the fire started.

“The property had been evacuated by staff. Firefighters were sent in and pulled the chap out of the building. He was unconscious at the time but the ambulance was also very quick to attend.”

He praised the quick actions of the crew and said: “In terms of the speed, the crews got in there, they were very quick and they were pointed in the direction by staff.

“We did as much as we could to get him out.”

Detective Inspector John Turner said: “A male is in hospital with serious burns. The fire remains unexplained. It could be arson.”

Two fire crews from Abingdon and one from Didcot were called to the residential home, which supports adults with mental health problems, at about 4am.

Police, firefighters and scenes of crime officers were at the site throughout the day and a police cordon remained in place last night.

The Knowl is owned by mental health charity 2Care.

Up to 19 residents live there for between one to two years before moving on to more independent living.

At the time of the fire, there were 16 residents staying at The Knowl, but 2Care spokeswoman Joanna Kowalski said none of them needed to be rehoused following the fire.

She added: “We can confirm that there has been a fire at our premises.

“We are co-operating with the fire and police services as they carry out their investigation.

“We cannot comment any further at this stage.”

An Old Station Yard resident, who refused to be named, said: “I hope they can continue what they do because it is a worthwhile thing and these people need supporting.”

2Care is a part of the Richmond Fellowship Group.