CREWS from Reading were helping colleagues in Oxford after three suspected arson attacks in nine minutes - one that has destroyed council offices.

South Oxfordshire District Offices, in Crowmarsh Gifford, near Wallingford, was the third fire to be called in within nine minutes of each other.

All three fires are being treated as linked and a 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

Local residents told how they believed the a car rammed into the offices around 3am this morning starting the blaze.

South Oxford District Council serves residents in Sonning, Sonning Common, Goring, Pangbourne, Mapledurham, Streatley, Peppard Common and Gallowstree Common, Woodcote and Stoke Row.

The council's website is currently down and services were going to be disrupted.

A thatched cottage went up in flames in Rokemarsh where 10 fire engines were sent after a call was received at 3.11am.

At 3.20am a call was then received about a fire at a funeral parlour in Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, which four fire engines were sent to.

At the same time the call for the council offices fire was called in.