Fire engines from Slade, Rewley Road, Eynsham and Wheatley Fire Stations attended the incident when passers-by alerted the service after seeing smoke coming from the property.

On arrival, crews were confronted with smoke issuing from all levels of the three storey mid terraced house with flames visible in the ground floor.

Eight firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, forced entry into the building to extinguish the fire and carry out an extensive search for people.

No one was located in the property with the occupant having left prior to the arrival of the Fire and Rescue Service.

Homes on either side of the building were also checked to ensure residents were safe, due to the risk of the fire spreading.

Cowley Road had to be closed to the traffic for some time as the service dealt with the incident.

Group Manager Peter Graham said: "The quick actions of these people in calling the Fire Service, together with a rapid response by fire crews prevented this incident from developing into a very serious fire and ensured that damage was kept to a minimum.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.