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Arrest after arson feared at flats
www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
People power brings change to plans for garden town
Fire crews rescue the endangered man Picture: OFRS
People rescued in ‘severe’ fire By George Welch A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after firefighters battled a ‘severe’ fire at a block of Didcot flats to rescue a trapped man. At around 11.20pm on Friday fire crews from Didcot, Abingdon and Oxford saved a man who was stuck in the burning building in Harrier Drive, west Didcot.
The rescued man was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by South Central Ambulance Service paramedics but did not go to hospital. The fire service said the “swift and decisive action of the crews” helped them rescue the Didcot resident from the flat before leading a family to safety from a neighbouring flat. Police say they have launched a
“thorough investigation” and are appealing for witnesses. A 21-year-old man from Didcot has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and has been bailed until April 13. Incident commander, crew manager Andy Halstead said: “This was a severe fire and required immediate action, our fire crews were able to fight through the blaze and
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rescue the missing resident and also to secure the safety of neighbours. “Emergency responders from all three blue-light services combined to ensure a safe, swift and effective conclusion to this incident.” Fire crews have since re-visited the scene to offer home and fire safety advice to residents. Contact police on 101 if you have any information about the fire.
REVISED plans for Didcot’s garden town will abandon proposals for a new technical college and flats on Ladygrove. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council leaders published their draft masterplan for their garden town vision in January, which included 17 per cent of Ladygrove being built on to provide new schools, health centres and other services, including a technology institute with homes. But on Monday the councils revealed the technical college and flats are no longer part of the plan, and that publication of the fi nal plans has been pushed back from March 22 until May as proposals are updated. Thousands of residents, businesses and the wider Didcot community have had their say on the district councils’ suggestions, and hundreds of people have protested at Ladygrove and at council meetings. At a passionate town council extraordinary meeting at the town’s Civic Hall last month, Didcot chiefs unanimously voted not to surrender the lease on Ladygrove Park. And now, Didcot green-space lovers, including councillors and residents alike, have reason to be optimistic over the future of their town’s green spaces. Cllr Margaret Davies, who last month praised the community for a “brilliant campaign” in opposing the draft masterplan, welcomed the announcement. VË Í ÖjÄË Ë¬?~jËÏ
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