FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze that was burning in a cavity wall. 

The fire service received a call about a suspected chimney fire  in Stratton Audley near Bicester at around 2.45am yesterday morning.

Crews from Bicester Fire Station went to the property, where they were told that the residents could smell burning and see wispy smoke in their living room.

A carbon monoxide alarm had also been activated. 

Firefighters investigated the room and eliminated a chimney fire as the culprit. 

When they removed the fireplace they discovered it was burning within the cavity wall, directly behind the sealed fireplace

The fireplace was removed, as well as around 4 sq m of plasterboard to access and extinguish the fire which was burning inside the wall.

The Incident Commander, Watch Manager Pete Mackay said: “This was an unusual incident in that there was no sign of fire at all, and crews had to carry out very invasive work into the wall to locate and identify it, however once located it was clear that a fire had been burning unseen within the wall, which took several hours to deal with.

"The property was fitted with smoke detectors but the nearest one was some way from the room, and due to the unusual layout it was the carbon monoxide alarm that activated.

"This shows that due to the unseen fire, smouldering and spreading rather than visible flames the occupiers were fortunate to be alerted as carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, and cannot be seen or smelt, unlike smoke. The occupiers did the right thing in immediately calling the fire service, and staying outside the property not only to guide us in but to stay safe."