Fire crews were called to the Randolph Hotel in Oxford after fire started by electrical device

Crews were called to the five-star hotel in Beaumont Street at 11.40pm after reports of the blaze. 

Hotel staff had managed to get an elderly couple out of the room and firefighters were able to clear the smoke. 

The woman was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. 

Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service said the fire is thought to have started inside an electrical nebulizer - a device used to administer drugs in the form of an inhaled mist, commonly used by people suffering with respiratory problems - which had overheated.

Incident commander, watch manager Ricky Thomas said: “I would urge the public to review the condition of their portable electrical appliances in relation to any signs of damage, wear and tear and replace if necessary.

"Fortunately, the hotel had a fire alarm system, which alerted all persons and allowed plenty of time for emergency evacuation procedures to be put into place."

A spokesman for the hotel said: “The safety and comfort of our guests is of paramount importance to everyone at Macdonald Hotels and we would like to thank our team and the fire brigade for their swift action.”

The hotel, owned by Macdonald Hotels Ltd, has recently reopened fully after a major fire in April 2015 gutted part of the building and roof. 

The fire, which was caused by a rogue flambé incident in the kitchens, forced the hotel to shut for three weeks, the first time it had closed in its 150-year history. 

In April this year the £7m repair project, which involved all 151 bedrooms being completely overhauled, was finished. 

Being interviewed in May the hotel's manager Michael Grange (pictured) said: "The team and I here at the Randolph are amazed by what the builders and the contractors have achieved; they have had to source material from around the world to match the original building and use the skills from the time to recreate the stunning roof."

He added: "It has been their hard work that has enabled us to return the building to its former glory. It has been a monumental undertaking and we greatly appreciate their efforts."

The hotel featured in the Inspector Morse television series several times, in particular in the episode entitled The Wolvercote Tongue. The cast stayed at the hotel during filming in 1987 and there is a Morse Bar.

Building the Randolph began in 1864 by architect William Wilkinson who also designed many houses in North Oxford.