FIREFIGHTERS raced to an Oxford school after fears the building was on fire - but soon found the blaze was just a neighbour's bonfire.

Three fire engines with blue lights flashing were seen pulling into Headington Preparatory School in London Road, shortly after 11am this morning.

The call-out came after smoke was spotted near the private boarding school's building in London Road, which teaches girls aged three-11.

But Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has since told the Oxford Mail it was a false alarm.

The service's group manager Simon Belcher said: "This was caused by ‘controlled burning’ - a bonfire from a neighbour’s property.

"As a matter of course we send three fire engines to calls of this nature as, when the call came through, it was thought a building (potentially with people inside) was on fire."

Some fire services in the country ask members of the public to call them if they are planning a controlled bonfire, to avoid false alarms.

A warning on Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's website says such call-outs are a 'drain on resources'.