Disabled pensioner Phyllis Moncrieff died in a blaze at sheltered accommodation in south Oxford.

A neighbour and warden desperately tried to drag Mrs Moncrieff, 67, from her smoke-filled flat in Vicarage Road, New Hinksey, as firefighters joined the rescue bid.

But the elderly lady, who was wheelchair bound, could not be revived.

The fire at the Anchor housing home began at 2.25pm yesterday when a smoke detection system was activated by smoke coming from a ground floor flat.

Three fire engines were called to the scene and more than 20 elderly people were evacuated.

One line of inquiry fire officers are now investigating is that the pensioner may have fallen asleep after lighting a cigarette.

Divisional fire officer Colin Thomas said: "We arrived and saw a lot of smoke coming from the ground floor flat.

"Officers took over the rescue operation but unfortunately the woman was declared dead at the scene."

Other frightened pensioners had been led into a garden at the rear of the home but were allowed to return to the flats last night. Youngsters and teachers at the nearby New Hinksey First School were grieving Mrs Moncrieff's death today.

She became a popular figure at the school after volunteering to make Teletubby costumes for a school play.

Pupils were so touched they raised £88 through a bring and buy sale to help buy her a new electric wheelchair.

Deputy head Julie St Clair-Hoare said today: "She was a generous lady. She contributed so much even though she was not at all well herself.

"The children took to her. They visited her at her home and she came to the school to see dress rehearsals."

A spokesman for Anchor Trust, which runs the home, said: "The emergency call system which is in every flat, was alerted immediately and the fire brigade was contacted straight away. They were on the scene within five min- utes.

"Our immediate concern and thoughts are with her family, other residents and staff."

Story date: Wednesday 03 February

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