Firefighters rescued a woman in Oxford last night after an electric heater set fire to her clothes.

Crews from Rewley Road and The Slade were called to the woman's home in Abingdon Road shortly before 7pm last night.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire Fire Service said the woman's family reacted extremely quickly and managed to smother the flames preventing any serious injuries.

Watch manager Simon Piper said firefighters arrived within minutes of being alerted to provide medical assistance until ambulance colleagues arrived moments later.

He added: "The family were very quick to respond to this lady and due to their actions her injuries are limited.

"This should serve as a reminder to everyone that electrical equipment, including heaters, should be serviced regularly and all homes should have at least one smoke alarm and this must be tested weekly.

"Heaters can be particularly dangerous and people must ensure they are safely positioned so that they cannot set light to anything nearby."

The fire service said electrical fires are the second most common cause of fires in the home after cooking.