RETIRED farmer Jim Cottrell and his wife Heather leapt from the upstairs window of their blazing home early today.

They escaped with minor injuries but their pet dog, which had raised the alarm, died.

The couple's detached house, The Old Post Office in Denchworth Road, Grove, near Wantage, was badly damaged.

Mr and Mrs Cottrell were in bed when they heard their dog scratching at the door downstairs.

Mr Cottrell, 69, went to investigate and was met by a wall of smoke and flames. He leapt from the window to fetch a ladder but Mrs Cottrell, 64, jumped before he returned.

The couple were taken to hospital where Mrs Cottrell was kept in for an arm injury and the effects of smoke. Mr Cottrell was released after treatment. He was being looked after today by their two sons who live in the village and run their farming business.

By the time fire crews arrived, flames were shooting through the roof and sides of the building.

The inside was wrecked and large sections of the roof collapsed.

At the height of the fire, 25 firefighters were at the scene and Denchworth Road was closed to traffic.

Today, fire officers and a structural engineer were investigating the blaze.

It seems almost certain that the house will have to be demolished.

A neighbour, Richard Divall, said: "It was some time after midnight when I heard a couple of shouts, and then a big bang which was the glass breaking.

"By the time I came downstairs, the fire brigade had arrived. I saw Mr and Mrs Cottrell and spoke to them. They were were slightly injured and shocked."

Firefighters said the house had no smoke alarms.

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