A ROOF on a block of flats in North Oxford collapsed during a huge blaze this afternoon.

Six fire engines dealt with the fire at flats in Woodstock Close, off Woodstock Road. 

Oxford Mail:

Picture: Tony Keenan

Some residents have been put in temporary accommodation but there have been no reports of any injuries.

The first fire engine arrived at the scene at 12.39pm and the and fire was 'fully controlled and managed' by mid afternoon.

It is not yet known how the fire started, but the fire service, who have a specialist fire investigations unit looking into the cause, said it believed the blaze was accidental. 

Oxford Mail:

Picture: Tony Keenan

One local resident said she saw two workmen at the building this morning.

Maureen Keenan said: "There was a very quick response from emergency services and (the response) was all round very good.

"It was lucky that the flats are old and well built with fire walls between each section."

Oxford Mail:

The Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival the crews were faced with a rapidly developing fire in the roof of the four storey property with smoke pumping out through the tiled roof.

"Ladders were quickly pitched to the front aspect of the building to give immediate access to the roof, whilst other fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus were committed into the building to ensure that the top floor flats had been evacuated, and to see if they could break into the roof from below in order to start fire-fighting.

"Additional crews then utilised the emergency escape staircase at the rear of the property to gain access to the roof from that location."

The building was evacuated following the alarm being raised.

Oxford Mail:

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Paul Smith said: "Along with our fire crews we have members of our emergency planning team at the site.

"20 properties are affected due to hot water, power and gas having to be isolated across the block affected by the fire and the attached block.

"The property owners are providing hotel accommodation. British Red Cross have volunteers at the scene."

Red Cross South tweeted: "Our volunteers are supporting those evacuated from their homes by providing hygiene packs, warm clothes and emotional support."

Oxford Mail: