A HERO neighbour rescued a man stuck in a burning flat in Oxford yesterday morning.

Residents from a building in Speedwell Street heard a smoke alarm just after midnight and saw smoke entering the apartment corridor from one of the flats.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said a neighbour rushed into the flat and found a man asleep on a bed with a large amount of smoke coming from his bedside table.

The fire had been caused by a cigarette burning in an ashtray that spread to the bedside table and the bed, the fire service added.

The neighbour managed to drag the man out of the flat and help him down two flights of stairs to clean air.

Fire engines from Rewley Road, Slade Park and Kidlington Fire Stations were sent to the scene, with the first crews arriving at about 12.20am to find smoke billowing from the second floor flat.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus ran into the building and extinguished the fire.

Fire crews also evacuated the building to make sure other residents were safe.

The man rescued from the flat was taken by South Central Ambulance Service to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington as he was suffering from smoke inhalation. Watch manager Sean Mienie from Rewley Road fire station said: “It was very fortunate this gentleman wasn’t more seriously injured in this incident.

“I would like to remind people of the importance of not smoking in bed and having suitable ashtrays that are cleaned regularly .”

Do you know who the hero neighbour was? Call the Oxford Mail newsdesk on 01865 425444.