FIREFIGHTERS from across Oxfordshire battled a blaze near Wallingford last night.

Seven fire engines responded to a call about a 'rapidly developing' garage fire in Benson at 9.46pm.

Crews from Wallingford, Watlington, Didcot, Slade Park (Oxford), Abingdon, and Goring fire stations battled the blaze, which was also attended by a hydraulic platform from Rewley Road (Oxford) and a command unit from Maidenhead.

The fire service said they were faced with a 'rapidly developing fire which had spread to the roof of the main property', from the garage attached to a domestic property.

In a statement, spokesperson David Bray, from Oxfordshire County Council, explained: "Crews quickly brought the fire under control from outside the property using large hose lines, before committing crews in breathing apparatus into the house to fight the fire internally.

"Our Specialist Fire investigator is currently working to try and establish the cause of the fire however it is considered to be accidental at this time."

Crews were still in attendance on Saturday to investigate whether any hotspots remained within the roof space.

Mr Bray continued: "On this occasion the fire was reported by a passer-by who spotted the fire in the garage, the prompt dialling of 999 ensured that the right resources were sent to the scene as quickly as possible.

"We would like to remind the public that the safest thing to do if they notice a fire is to ensure that everybody gets out, stays out and that the fire service is called as quickly as possible."