An investigation is under way to find out what caused a blaze at Thame's oldest hotel.

The Swan Hotel, in Upper High Street

Seven people escaped from The Swan Hotel, in Upper High Street down a builder's ladder after fire broke out just before 2am on Wednesday.

Three were taken to hospital, but were released after treatment.

Thames Valley Police were yesterday awaiting results of a fire service inquiry into whether or not the cause of the blaze was suspicious.

More than 20 firefighters tackled the fire on the former coaching inn's first floor. An Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "We always treat hotel fires seriously.

"We had to search all the rooms to confirm that we could account for all the residents."