A former PoW suffered burns to his leg after a blaze broke out at his chalet bungalow.

Alex Kaulins, 86, managed to escape from his home in Milestone Road, Carterton, and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, for treatment for burns and smoke inhalation after the fire yesterday lunchtime.

Neighbour Ashley Reede raised the alarm when he spotted smoke and flames coming from the bungalow as he walked down the road.

He said: "I dialled 999 when I saw it was on fire. Mr Kaulins is a popular figure and used to work for the RAF. He is often seen about the town on his bike."

The blaze was tackled by fire crews from Witney, Burford, Bampton, Eynsham and Kidlington.

Oxfordshire Fire Service divisional officer Martin Crapper said: "I believe the gentleman is Polish and a former prisoner of war.

"The fire started in the kitchen area and started to spread very quickly - it was a quite serious fire."

Mr Kaulins lives with an elderly friend, who was away staying with friends in Gloucester.

A 39-year-old fireman was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for treatment to a minor hand injury.

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