A couple from Charlbury praised firefighters for a quick response when the roof of their home caught fire.

Colin and Eithne Nutt were at home in Thames House, Market Street, on Saturday, April 13, when the blaze started.

After being alerted by passersby, the couple went outside to see what had happened.

Mrs Nutt said: "There were flames coming out of our roof and it was rather scary.

"The fire brigade were called and came very quickly. The firemen prevented the fire from spreading to other properties in the terrace. It is hats off to them.

"They were brilliant.

"There was less water damage than we imagined."

Firefighters from Charlbury, Chipping Norton, Woodstock and Oxford tackled the blaze. They removed tiles and cut rafters to stop the fire spreading sideways or down through the house.

Fire officer Edward Murphy said: "The couple were lucky the fire was spotted when it was, because it could have been more serious and the damage more extensive.

"We were able to confine the outbreak to the roof. About 50 per cent of the roof was damaged."

Firefighters used the hydraulic lift and platform from Rewley Road fire station in Oxford. The platform has a reach of 85ft letting firefighters tackle a roof fire more easily and safely.

Mrs Nutt said: "There was an aroma of smoke in the spare bedroom for some days and I assumed it was the backdraught from the fireplace.

"When the tile blew off the roof, it let in oxygen, which had the effect of igniting the woodwork. Firemen had to cut a lot of the woodwork away and remove some of the tiles to get at the seat of the fire."