Neighbours have described their attempts to rescue a disabled woman from a house fire only to be driven back by acrid smoke.

Sheila Langsbury, 68, died in a blaze in her semi-detached bungalow in Brookside, Chalgrove, on Tuesday.

Friends and neighbours tried in vain to save the pensioner, who was recovering at home from a hip replacement when the fire broke out.

Jennifer White, 36, said neighbours were devastated their attempts to help had failed.

Mrs White and neighbour Simon King, 21, managed to get inside the bungalow before fire crews arrived.

She said: "I knew the security code to get in the front door and we went inside but there was so much smoke everywhere.

"Simon and a friend opened the bedroom door and tried to get in but the smoke was so bad they were fought back.

"The black smoke was horrible. We tried everything but it was just too much.

"There was no way we could go much further. We just didn't think. When we heard we ran to the house and tried to get in. I just wanted to get inside and try to get her out.

"Without putting our lives at risk I don't know what we could have done.

"We took flowers down there afterwards. What happened has shocked every- one."

Another neighbour smashed a window in a bid to rescue Mrs Langsbury, while others also tried to get inside.

The alarm was raised at about 7pm when a passing motorist spotted flames in the front bedroom.

Firefighters from Wheatley and Watlington wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze and found the woman dead.

Mrs Langsbury relied on visits from friends, carers and neighbours several times a day because she was housebound.

Mrs White said she acted as an unofficial carer often helping with shopping.

She added: "It's horrible for everyone. I did a lot for her and this is a big shock.

"She was a lovely lady. She never had a bad word to say about anyone."

The bedroom and hallway were ruined by the fire, and a second bedroom, the lounge, kitchen and bathroom were damaged by smoke and heat.

The property is owned by Sovereign Housing Association.

One neighbouring family fled their home during the blaze because the flames were so ferocious it was feared the fire would spread.

Police are not treating the blaze as suspicious.