FIREFIGHTERS put out a thatched cottage blaze this morning.

Emergency services were called to the large-scale fire in Horn Lane, East Hendred.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said: "There were no patients requiring our services at the fire on Horn Lane, East Hendred.

"We were at scene to provide assistance to the fire service if needed due to the large number of firefighters they had on scene dealing with the blaze."

Neighbours said that the sole occupant was a woman named locally as 95 -year-old Nana Hill who was not injured in the fire.

One Horn Lane resident who preferred to remain anonymous said: "I heard the noise first of all with the fire engines going past.

"I didn't realise what was happening at first.

"It's so sad, she's such a lovely old lady.

"It's very distressing for her, she's lived her over 20 years and what's happened is just awful.

"These things happen but I am glad that I don't have a thatched roof."

Police closed the roads nearby while fire crews tackled the blaze well into the afternoon before reopening it at about 3pm.

They were still damping down the smouldering building at 2pm.

Another neighbour said at least 10 fire engines had attended the incident.

She added: "There was an awful lot of noise and fire engines going by shortly after 9am.

"It's still smouldering even now and you can smell it on the air.

"The woman got out safely.

"I have lived her for years and never seen anything like that."

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue said they were called to the blaze at 9.11am to find the fire quickly spreading into the thatched roof.

Crews wearing breathing gear entered the property while other crews tackled the blaze using jets.

Fire crews worked to remove the owners property from the house and place it in a nearby garage.

Ten applicance were called from across Oxfordshire and Berkshire for the incident.

Incident commander Paul Bremble said: "The crews worked hard to try to reduce the damage to the house and the owners possessions.

"The main part of the house has been destroyed by the fire, however, the crews have stopped the fire spreading to a small portion of the property.

"The crews will remain in attendance for some time to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished and safe.

"We urge that people do not approach the property as the fire has left it in an unstable condition and parts of the walls have already collapsed.

"The owner took the correct actions ang got out of the property and called the fire service out.

"The cause of the fire is still being investigated."