An elderly widow trapped in a house blaze was saved when firefighters kicked in her front door and dragged her out.

Julie Morgan, 76, was found spluttering on her knees at her home in Stockmore Street, Oxford, in the early hours today. She was treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, before being allowed home.

Station Officer Mick Pilcher, based at Oxford, said: "We kicked the door in and dragged the lady out and gave her oxygen.

"I do not think she would have survived it because when we dragged her out she was on her knees. She was not in a position to call the fire brigade."

The fire is believed to have started when Mrs Morgan forgot to turn off a grill in her kitchen at 1.30am.

Luckily, a smoke detector sounded and a neighbour rushed to the house and tried to get in.

She smelled smoke, but could not get in, so rushed home to dial 999.

Mr Pilcher added: "The elderly lady inside could not find a key to open the door.

"If the smoke alarm had not gone off undoubtedly she would have died."

Her son Kevin Morgan, 37, who is caring for his mother, said: "If it was not for something like a smoke detector there could have been quite a serious fire and loss of life."

Firefighters rescued a 60-year-old woman from a blaze in a first-floor flat in Trill Mill Court, off St Aldate's, just after 8.30am today. She was treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics and taken to the John Radcliffe.

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