FIREFIGHTERS are still at the scene of a thatched cottage fire this morning.
The A420 at Besselsleigh has reopened after flames last night caught hold of the entire thatched roof.
The fire has been controlled but firefighters were still monitoring the situation at 7.45am.
Up to 70 firefighters battled the blaze and saved the family’s belongings from the ground floor of the home.
The family escaped uninjured but the cottage has been badly damaged by the fire.
Around 20 neighbours called the fire and rescue services on spotting the blaze at 4.57pm Incident Commander Group Manager Jason Crapper said “ The fire spread rapidly through the thatched roof and firefighters did well to salvage what possessions they could.
“Fortunately the family was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm and were able to get out early on”.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will be investigating to find out the cause of the blaze.
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