A QUICK-thinking postman has been praised by firefighters for helping to prevent a serious house fire.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the postman was doing his rounds yesterday in Main Road, Fringford, and called at 12.22pm to report a smoke alarm going off inside someone's home.

A crew from Bicester was sent to the scene and could smell burning, with firefighters preparing to force their way in to stop the blaze.

Luckily the owner returned and unlocked the door. The cause was found to be burnt toast left unattended under a lit grill.

Firefighters put out the flames and cleared the home of smoke using high-pressure fans.

Bicester Fire Station crew manager Doug Whitford said: "On this occasion, a vigilant postman ensured that the fire was able to be contained to the grill and thereby preventing significant damage to the property.

"This incident demonstrates that smoke alarms, whilst being paramount for the safety of occupants, are also valuable to alerting passersby of fires."

The postman was not identified by the fire crew.

Do you know more about this incident? If so, call the Oxford Mail newsdesk on 01865 425 500.