IT WAS a lucky escape for one group of people living in an Oxford house early this morning.

At about 3.50am today fire crews were called to a house fire in Howard Street. 

On arrival smoke was billowing from the windows of a three storey house and was quickly spreading to the next door property.

Firefighters entered the home and tackled the fire. It was spreading quickly and threatening to engulf the entire top floor of both properties but the quick intervention of crews stopped the spread and reduced further damage to both houses.

There were concerns that people were still in one of the homes but crews checked using thermal imaging cameras and then remained on the scene to ensure the fire was fully out till 7.30am.

Four adults were taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

WM Hutchinson from Slade Park Fire station said: "It is vitally important at these types of incidents that people do not return back into the building for any reason, as this is extremely dangerous and put people’s lives at risk.

"We urge people to get out and stay out of any fire situation. We also recommend that people fit working smoke alarms to their properties and test them on a regular basis."