Six fire crews battle house blaze close to church

A HOUSE in High Street, Whitchurch, was damaged by a fire on Sunday.

A plume of thick smoke could be seen billowing from the two-storey building, near to St Mary’s Church.

Six crews from Oxfordshire and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene at about 2pm.

The High Street and toll bridge were blocked off by two police cars and remained closed until the evening. Neighbours and residents in the village have reached out to offer support to the couple, who are believed to have found a temporary place to stay.

Rev James Leach, who lives opposite, saw firefighters go into the building with hoses.

He said: “We noticed there were loads of engines from our bedroom and one of us went down and could see the smoke and concerned neighbours, who had gone to see what was going on.”

Jim Donahue, chairman of Whitchurch Parish Council, attended the scene on Monday. He said: “We’re all concerned about the couple, and we’re glad to see they have somewhere to stay. My heartfelt condolences go to them during this time.”

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Fire engines and crews were sent from fire stations in Didcot, Watlington, Wantage, Goring, Abingdon and Reading.

“The fire had spread to the roof of the building and was causing structural instability. Crews managed to extinguish it using high-pressure hose reels and main jets.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.