THREE people have been rescued from flats in Oxford after a discarded cigarette set a bed alight.
Firefighters rushed to the flats in St Nicholas Road, Littlemore, on Sunday after flames took hold of one flat and smoke billowed from the window.
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Crews found two people stuck on scaffolding outside the building as they tried to escape the fire.
A third person was trapped inside the flat and when crews battled their way in they found a man unconscious in the corridor.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette in a bed, with the resident then falling asleep, only to awake to a developing fire in their bedroom.
Dramatic pictures show the incinerated remains of the bed which has been left as little more than springs and frames.
The stranded man, who was unresponsive, was rescued from the smoke-filled flat, and first-aid was given to all three residents with two then taken to hospital.
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Incident commander, crew manager Dan Shepherd from Slade Park Fire Station said: "This incident highlights the absolute importance of working smoke alarms in properties for raising the alarm.
"Had it not been for the prompt actions of the neighbours calling the fire service on hearing a smoke alarm activating this incident could’ve had a very different outcome with a fire spreading to adjoining properties and putting further lives at risk.
"We would also strongly recommend that people do not smoke whilst in bed and make sure that when a cigarette is discarded it is fully extinguished, in a correct manner, before either going to sleep or leaving the property as a fire can quickly develop."
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