FIREFIGHTERS raced to save an historic Oxfordshire pub from fire after a cigarette was dropped through a windowsill into a wall cavity.

Three fire engines sped to the 18th century Crown hotel in Faringdon market place at about 4pm on Saturday, drawing crowds of onlookers onto the streets.

Oxford Mail:

Landlord Ian Everett, who has been at the pub for just 14 weeks, told the Oxford Mail he saw smoke coming from the second floor windowsill and raced upstairs.

When he entered the guest bedroom he said it was full of smoke.

Oxford Mail:

After using water to try and douse the smoking sill unsuccessfully, he called 999 and used a fire extinguisher to tackle the fire again.

As firefighters arrived, Mr Everett evacuated the building.

Oxford Mail:

After making sure the fire was out, the officers from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service then had to excavate the wooden sill, using a drill to get through the wood and into the cavity beneath.

They then hoovered up the mess inside - which included the smouldering cigarette butt.

Oxford Mail:

Faringdon Fire Station manager Paul Webster confirmed that the small fire had been started by a cigarette.

He said Mr Everett had tried to put the fire out himself, and said his team had finished off the job to ensure any further risk was eliminated.

Oxford Mail:

Mr Everett also revealed that he had the room in question redecorated just two weeks ago, and said it looked like he would be getting his decorator back in sooner than he expected.

Built in the 1700s as a traditional coaching inn, the Crown is now owned by Dominion Hospitality which also owns the George Hotel in Dorchester-on-Thames near Wallingford.

Oxford Mail: