Serious Fire In Park Terrace

OVER 40 fire-fighters worked throughout the early hours and into the night on Friday, to bring a serious fire at a property in Park Terrace, Thame under control.
Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service were called at 00:45, when the resident of the property was alerted by a neighbour (who had earlier discovered and extinguished a small chimney fire in his own property,) that a serious fire had broken out in the second floor loft extension.
The fire severely damaged a bedroom and the roof of the semi detached property but no one was injured.

Five appliances from Thame, Watlington, Haddenham & Oxford, along with specialist support vehicles from Woodstock, Oxford and Didcot attended the incident, working with breathing apparatus in eight teams, in extremely hot and arduous conditions. Also, The British Red Cross Fire & Emergency Support Unit assisted the occupier with salvage, providing warm clothing and support, and with insurance advise during the blaze.

The incident was under control in just over two hours, but firefighters remained on the scene until 7.30am making the building safe and secure.

Thame’s Station Commander, Andy Ford, told ThameNews.Net that prompt action by fire crews helped to confine the fire to the initial room and roof above and that the cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be accidental.
He said: “We would urge anyone using open fire to only burn well-seasoned and dry wood and to have their chimney swept before lighting the first fire of the season and once again during the season.”

Everyone is urged to fit smoke detectors in their properties to ensure that, should a fire occur, it is identified in its early stages.

Photo: A typical roof fire (For illustration purposes only)