A MAN accidentally set fire to himself while smoking in the garden at his home in Witney on Wednesday.

An air ambulance landed on Wood Green next to Holy Trinity Church at about 5pm to take the man in his 50s to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where he is still in a serious condition.

Bradley Morse, areas operations manager for Oxfordshire at Mencap, said the man had been smoking in the garden in Farmers Close when the accident occurred.

Oxford Mail:

He said: "Fortunately a member of Mencap staff was present at the time and was able to provide immediate assistance. His family and the appropriate authorities have been notified.

"Our thoughts are very much with the man and his family at this difficult time. 

"Our priority is to make sure that the other people who share the house with him are okay at what must be a most distressing and worrying time."

The charity provides a few hours of support every weekday to help the man live independently and it is believed three other residents live in the property.

A resident of Farmers Close who wished to remain anonymous said: "He was a nice chap and was friendly.

"He used to walk all the way into town and back, saying he was the 'fit one' of his house because he did so much walking.

"He would always stop and say hello to you if he saw you down the street."

Thames Valley Police confirmed officers attended shortly after 5pm with the fire and ambulance services following reports a man sustained serious injuries having been involved in a fire in a garden of the house.