A FAMILY of five escaped with their lives from a serious fire at their home in Bicester last night.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue crews were faced with a "severe" first floor bedroom fire when called to the Kennet Close home at 10.45pm last night.

The two adults and three children had escaped the fire before the emergency services were called and were treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Four crews from Bicester, Kidlington and Oxford tackled the blaze at the end of terrace home using two high-pressure hoses and thermal imaging cameras to prevent it spreading.

Bicester Fire Station crew manager Chris Hollis said: “This was a severe fire and firefighters worked hard in hot and arduous conditions to bring it under control. Thankfully the family all escaped without serious harm."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service posted a picture of the burnt-out first floor of the house on Twitter last night.

It also said that the Red Cross charity had attended to help the family.