FIREFIGHTERS came close to losing the battle to save Charlbury’s 900-year-old parish church from a rooftop blaze.

Sixty firefighters were called to the incident at St Mary the Virgin Church on Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday Charlbury fire station manager Chris Wilson said he feared at one stage that the building would be burned out.

Investigators believe the cause of the fire, which started in the roof area of the chancellery, may have been accidental.

Mr Wilson said that at its peak the fire was so intense it had melted parts of the lead roof.

He added: “The oak timber roof in the area above the chancellery and the offices was severely damaged. Fortunately, most of the damage is to hidden parts of the roof.

“But it was a close-run thing. At one stage some of the smoke looked like it might ignite and spread the fire unchecked within the church.

“Fortunately, because we used a lot of resources and got them there quickly, we were able to get the fire under control. We stripped the roof and chainsawed through burning beams to allow the flammable gases to ventilate safely.”

The fire was spotted at about 12.30pm, just half-an-hour after parishioners had left the building, part of which dates back to the 12th century and underwent a £385,000 restoration in the 1990s.

Church warden Annette Allmark said: “We were extremely worried. It would have been devastating if we lost the church.”

She said the church was fully insured, but the clean-up could take weeks. The building will not reopen for services until it passes safety checks.

Parishioner Elizabeth Burroughs, 73, of The Slade, said: “We were absolutely horrified when we found out.

“The damage is pretty bad. There are two great big holes in the roof and a lot of burnt timbers outside but it could have been a lot worse.

“It would have been a dreadful, dreadful loss.”

Parishioner Susan Woolley, 68, of Church Lane, watched the firefighters’ efforts to save the church she has attended since 1962.

She said: “It’s such a lovely old building and I could see the smoke pouring out of it. I was worried the whole building could have gone up.

“But I have great faith in the firemen and they did a wonderful job.”

Charlbury Town Council chairman Nick Potter said: “It’s an awful tragedy and a huge shame. I very much hope it can be repaired quickly.”

Donations towards the cost of repairs are welcome and should be made out to Charlbury PCC and sent to The Vicarage, Church Lane, Charlbury, OX7 3PX.

Details of when the church will reopen and of services will be posted on its website.