A pensioner whose thatched cottage was destroyed during a series of arson attacks in Oxfordshire has described her relief that no-one was injured.

Jean Gladstone's home in Rokemarsh was targeted alongside council buildings and a funeral parlour.

A 47-year-old man is still being questioned by police after being arrested on suspicion of arson.

Miss Gladstone, 80, escaped from her home  unharmed during the blaze, which began at about 3am.

Just over 24 hours later she stood outside the cottage with a beaming smile, chatting to police officers while they maintained a cordon around her property, saying: "I just want to thank all my friends."

"I was very fortunate. We are thankful that everybody is safe."

Miss Gladstone, who has lived in the cottage for nearly 40 years, went on: "I don't want any publicity. It's a fabulous village. They are all friends. It's a family here."

Firefighters launched a massive operation involving 27 crews to control the three blazes, which started within 10 minutes of each other.

The first blaze was at Miss Gladstone's home, followed by a second at Chadwick Howard Funeral Service in Benson Lane in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford.

The third happened when a car, suspected to have contained gas canisters, crashed into the office of South Oxfordshire District Council - also in Benson Lane - before it burst into flames.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the planning department was worst hit by the blaze at the council office, which damaged about 85% of the building.

South Oxfordshire District Council has not yet been able to access the building to discover what has been lost in the flames and what might be recoverable.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "A 47-year-old man from the Wallingford area was arrested this morning (Thursday) in Rokemarsh on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He is currently in police custody."

Investigators found gas canisters at the home of the suspect as well as at all three scenes.

Police said in a statement: "At this stage the police investigation is focusing on all three fires being linked and they are believed to be suspicious."

Co-owner of the funeral home Alistair Cox said he believed the business was targeted as a case of "mistaken identity".

"They probably thought the home was a gatehouse to the council. I've got no idea why they set fire to the council building," he told the Oxford Mail.

The funeral home confirmed the business was unaffected by the blaze, which damaged only its offices.

Sandra Chadwick, a partner at the funeral home, said: "It looks as if all of our office premises are totally smoke-damaged and all the furniture in our arranging room has gone.

"We have got bodies in the premises but they are all safe.

"They are all contained in the rear of the premises which has been untouched by the fire.

"We would like to reassure our families that their loved ones are safe.

"Thank goodness no one was hurt. I'm devastated, but I'm so relieved that it wasn't any worse. We will carry on."

South Oxfordshire District Council, which shares its office and operations with Vale of White Horse District Council, described the damage as "extensive", adding that most of its services, including housing and planning, have been affected. Attempts were being made to re-house its 400 staff.

A council spokesman said: "We are putting our business continuity plan into place to make sure the effect on the most important services is kept to a minimum."