FIREFIGHTERS rescued a man lucky to survive a fire in his flat in Faringdon last night.

The man was found blackened by smoke in his bedroom by thermal imaging cameras as the fire raged.

Firefighters forced through the flat door in Russ Avenue after neighbours raised the alarm they thought he was still inside.

Fire engines from Faringdon, Wantage and Abingdon were at the scene of the low rise block of flats.

Group Manager Jason Crapper said “The resident was completely blackened by the smoke and was therefore very fortunate to have survived the fire.

“The firefighters who rescued him did a great job to find him quickly which is testament to the training and equipment they are provided with.”

The cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation has been launched by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police.