A DISABLED mother with multiple sclerosis says her son is a true hero after he saved her from a house fire.

Jane Salway, 58, was whisked to safety in her wheelchair by 19-year-old son Peter after the blaze took hold on the detached house in Manor Road, Bladon, at about 5pm on Easter Sunday.

The teenager was asleep at the time but was alerted to the fire by his dad, office administrator Paul Salway, 63.

Peter, an engineering apprentice, woke to discover the house filled with smoke and instantly ran to rescue his wheelchair-bound mum.

Mrs Salway, who has lived at the property for 21 years with husband Paul, said: “My son is a true hero – he saved my life. I thought he was joking but he rushed me straight out.

“I am very grateful but I am still in shock. He moved my wheelchair before I had a chance to think.”

Peter said saving his mum was a matter of instinct.

The Siemens Magnet Technology apprentice said: “Dad banged on the door when I was asleep at just after 5pm.

“I opened the door and there was smoke on the first floor.

“So I rushed downstairs to grab my mum then all three of us [Peter, Paul and his sister – who did not want to be named] ran out within minutes – and then it just went up in flames. All the thinking felt really quick because the adrenaline kicked in and it was just pure instinct.”

About 25 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze at the house in Manor Road.

Crews from Woodstock, Kidlington, Charlbury, Eynsham and Rewley Road fought the blaze for more than two hours before bringing it under control.

The first floor and the roof were severely damaged and the Salway family are now staying at the Travelodge by the Pear Tree Interchange.

But their 18-month-old pet black cat Sootie has not been seen since the fire.

Peter said: “I am in shock at how our neighbours came to support us and I was really touched by that because we had people offering us tea and buns and clothes.

“All of dad’s office work has gone and everything downstairs is water-damaged.”

He added the fire destroyed all his clothes, a laptop, his phone and all other possessions in his room.

A neighbour who lives opposite the house said: “We were at the end of the garden when we saw smoke.

“As soon as we saw they were safe it was a relief but the fire was ferocious.

“My grandchildren were really shocked and I was scared and almost in tears because it is a horrible experience watching your neighbours go through this.”

Twenty-year-old student Chaia Crompton from London, who was in Manor Road visiting her grandparents, said: “I saw some smoke and then we saw a fire. We just ran towards it to try and help and then we cam out and it was sorted out.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known and fire crews are investigating but it is believed to be accidental but is being investigated.