Three police officers were hailed as heroes after saving an Oxford family from a burning house today.

Firefighters at the house in Bailey Road, Cowley, this morningThe fire started in a downstairs bedroom at the front of the semi-detached house in Bailey Road, Cowley, at 9am.

Three police officers -- Pcs Simon Pearce, Paul Roberts and Neil Templey -- were first at the scene and helped two people escape from a second-floor window.

Firefighters said the family were lucky to be alive.

Sgt Simon Woodman said: "The officers certainly put themselves at risk. It's not every day you are faced with something like that.

"They need to be acknowledged in some other way than just a verbal 'well done'. They acted on the spur of the moment and did what they thought necessary to save life and limb."

The three people rescued from the house, including a child, and the police officers were all taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Three fire engines with 16 firefighters tackled the blaze.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Sub Officer Paul Webster said: "They're very lucky to be alive. It was a substantial fire with a considerable amount of damage to the house."

The bedroom, the kitchen and hallway were badly damaged by the fire and the heat shattered a window pane.

Next-door neighbour Clare Simmons said: "A friend phoned me and I rushed back from work. I was worried about my son. He was asleep in the room next to the fire. It was very scary. You can replace your house, but you can't replace your son."