Oxfordshire Arson Blaze Reignited By Winds

One of the three buildings hit by a suspected arson attack in Oxfordshire has been set alight again after burning embers were fanned by high winds.

From 3am on Thursday firefighters were involved in a huge operation to deal with fires at a thatched house in Rokemarsh, a funeral parlour and the offices of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils.

At its peak, 27 crews were attacking the blazes, which started within 10 minutes of each other.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed high winds had turned over loose material in one of the buildings on Thursday evening, meaning that "a section of the roof is on fire" and the service is "now engaged in active firefighting".

A spokesman for the service could not confirm which of the buildings was affected.

"The winds have caused the fire to re-ignite and now we have a slightly higher presence there than we had planned to have throughout the night," he added.

The first fire was at a thatched cottage in Rokemarsh, followed minutes later by one at Chadwick Howard Funeral Service and a third at the council offices, both in Benson Lane in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford.

The burnt-out car which crashed in to the council building moments before it became engulfed in flames is still in the building's foyer.

Thames Valley Police have arrested a 47-year-old local man on suspicion of arson.

Superintendent Andy Boyd said an 80-year-old woman managed to escape the blaze at the thatched house and is helping officers with their investigation.

The funeral home owners said they suspected they were targeted in a case of "mistaken identity".

Damage to the council building was described as "extensive", with a spokesman saying attempts were being made to relocate 400 staff. Most of its services would be affected.

Police said that it was "believed that a vehicle collided with" the council offices before the fire started there.

"At this stage the police investigation is focusing on all three fires being linked and are believed to be suspicious," the force said.