Fire chiefs have warned people not take undue risks after a man was overcome by smoke in a severe house fire in Oxford after going back into the building.

The man, who had rescued his three-year-old daughter and led her to safety, went back into the detached Victorian house in Iffley Road to alert other occupants of flats in the three-storey building.

He collapsed because of the smoke, and had to be rescued from a first-floor bedroom.

He was checked by paramedics at the scene and later given the all clear.

Fifteen firefighters from The Slade and Rewley Road stations tackled the blaze in the ground and first-floor staircase of the house on December 24 and soon brought it under control.

Assistant Divisional Officer Peter Cleary said it was extremely fortunate that no-one had been injured.

He added: "The man on the first floor carried his three-year-old daughter to safety down through the smoke and flames in the staircase.

"He left her with his partner before going back into the multi-occupancy house to alert others. He was so lucky not to have lost his life.

"Had this happened in the early hours of the morning when people are not quite as alert and astute, we'd have had a very different story just in the face of Christmas.

"Our message is very clear: if you discover a fire, get out, call the fire brigade and stay out."