A YOUTH hostel manager has described how a fire broke out in a laundry room.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze at the Backpackers Youth Hostel, in Hythe Bridge Street.

Hostel manager Andrew Werner said he received a call after staff members discovered smoke coming from the room.

He then rushed back to the hostel, where about 20 people had to flee the building.

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Mr Werner said: “It’s a bit of a shock for everyone. There was quite a bit of smoke.”

Mr Werner said machines in the laundry room caught fire after overheating. But he said the damage was confined to just one room and only the machines were damaged.

He added: “The machines, they should not be able to overheat like that. It’s still under investigation as to what’s happened but we will be dealing with that with the company we are renting them from.”

Two fire engines were sent from Rewley Road Fire Station to tackle the blaze, which happened on Friday at about 5pm.

Firefighters had to wear breathing equipment and used thermal imaging cameras to locate the fire.

Watch Manager Tony Whiting said: “A quick hard-hitting attack meant that we were able to extinguish the fire, in minimum time, and with the minimum disruption to the hostel and residents.”

 

 

 

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