A DEVASTATING fire that ripped through a block of flats in Headington yesterday is being treated as arson by police.

Bins were set alight in a council flat complex in Colemans Hill, causing severe damage to one flat and partial damage to a family home.

There were reports of a man jumping from a first-floor flat to escape the blaze.

Three people were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation as a result on the fire, which started shortly after 5pm.

Emma Pease, who lives in a house opposite the flats, raised the alarm.

She said: "I saw two men jump out of a window and land in the play area at the back."

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Victoria William, 22, and her 16-month-old daughter Lilian Platt, were temporarily evacuated from the block.

She said: "I'd just put my daughter in her cot to sleep and the fire alarms went off.

"Somebody was running down the block shouting at people to get out. It was crazy."

Station manager Mike Adcock said the cause of the fire was being investigated.

He said: "There was severe damage to one flat and the other had smoke damage.

"Both families have been evacuated and Oxford City Council is looking to rehouse them.

"They were all looked over by ambulance crews but no one was hurt."

Fire crews from Rewley Road, Slade and Kidlington went to the scene and an incident support unit from Eynsham was called.

Council staff in hazmat suits were also investigating to see if there was any asbestos in the damaged flats.

No arrests have been made, but Thames Valley Police want to talk to the man who reported the fire.

Detective Constable Christopher Gulvin of Oxford CID said: “We are currently treating it as suspicious.

“We are particularly keen to talk to a man who called the fire service to say the fire was nothing to do with him.

“He did not leave his name.

“Someone could easily have been killed in this fire so I urge anyone with any information to get in touch with police immediately.”

You can call the police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.