AN ELDERLY man and his neighbour were rescued after fire broke out in a block of flats.

Neighbours in Exeter Court, Didcot, praised the actions of teenagers who raised the alarm after spotting smoke coming from a first-floor window.

The blaze took hold at about 5.40pm on Friday in the flat of a man believed to be in his 80s.

Both he and the occupant of a neighbouring apartment were pulled from the scene by firefighters and treated for smoke inhalation.

One neighbour said: “Two lads spotted the smoke and rang all the doorbells to get everyone out. They did very well.”

The woman said the man was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Firefighters from Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage attended the scene.

Crew manager Lee Swain said: “The smoke alarm in the property on fire was not working, but because of the swift action from both passers-by and the fire service, the situation was quickly brought under control.

“Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that a working smoke alarm would have alerted the occupants at an early stage.”