A MAN was rescued by firefighters after a blaze in a block of flats in Littlemore.

A quick-thinking neighbour had alerted the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service at 8.12pm yesterday after they had noticed smoke coming from the flat at Edith Kempson House, Chapel Lane.

Fire crews from Slade Park and Rewley Road rushed in to rescue the man after discovering a fire in the kitchen.

According to firefighters, the blaze began after a saucepan had been left on the cooker but it is not known how long it was on there.

Incident commander Will McPhail said the fire could have been more severe had the neighbour not alerted them and reminded residents to take care when cooking food.

Mr McPhail added: “The occupant in this case was very lucky, if it wasn’t for a keen eyed neighbour who had noticed the smoke coming from the flat window the consequences of the fire could have been much worse.

“I would like to remind everybody to stay alert when cooking and not leave cooking unattended.”

The ambulance service, which was alerted at 8.27am, said the man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by South Central Ambulance service and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.