A house in Cumnor Hill was gutted by fire on Saturday morning, closing the road to traffic.

Neighbours phoned the fire brigade shortly after 11:30am after seeing smoke billowing out of the first floor window.

Although nearby fire crews arrived at the scene in less than two minutes, a bedroom fire spread through the ceiling, destroying the house’s roof.

Station manager Mick Clarke said: “When breathing apparatus crews went inside, they were met by fire at every time.

“If somebody had been in the building it would have been pretty serious.

“I would say 60 per cent of the roof and the first floor have been completely destroyed by fire.

“Luckily we managed to salvage a lot of valuables, even including some A-Level coursework.”

Nobody was inside the property, although the owner’s dog was rescued unharmed.

Cumnor Hill was closed to traffic as fire crews battled the flames, reopening on Saturday afternoon.