Arsonist jailed after setting fire to his flat in high-rise block

An arsonist who put the lives of families at risk after setting fire to his flat in a high-rise tower block has been jailed.

Emergency services were called to Southchurch Court, off Farnborough Road, Clifton, following reports a smoke alarm had been activated on the 16^th floor of a 20-storey building.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service crews arrived on scene within minutes and quickly formulated a plan, with smoke billowing from the front door of the two-bedroom flat.

Almost every room was thick with toxic smoke, with zero visibility, as crew members entered.

They used a thermal imaging camera to locate the scene of the fire and used hose reel jets to put it out before searching the rest of the property and checking the welfare of residents. A positive pressure fan was used to clear the smoke.

The potentially catastrophic blaze, which was reported around 10pm on 30 March, had been started by 45-year-old Richard Blunt.

A fire investigation team established that attempts had been made to set a sofa alight, with a can of lighter fluid and evidence of smoking materials found under a cushion.

Extensive fire damage was also caused in the hallway, after a pile of clothing and boxes had been set alight.

Roads had to be closed around the complex but no evacuation was needed after crew members established the fire was isolated to the flat.

Following inquiries into the fire, police stopped and arrested Blunt nearby around 40 minutes later. Blunt, who was also in possession of a quantity of cannabis, was questioned and subsequently charged.

Blunt pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and possession of cannabis.

He was sentenced to three years in prison when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (4 October).

He had previously been fined £80 for possession of cannabis when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 1 April.

In mitigation, the court heard that Blunt had mental health difficulties at the time of the offence, aggravated by alcohol use.

It was also accepted that Blunt had shown remorse and taken steps to address his alcohol addiction.

Judge Rosalind Coe KC said: "I accept at the time you were at a very low ebb but what you actually did was endanger the lives of very many people.”

Detective Sergeant James Hirst, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It is only through the early intervention of the fire crews and the activation of the sprinkler system that no significant harm was caused to others.

“Blunt deliberately started this fire, closed his front door, and then walked away, showing absolutely no regard for anyone else’s safety or responsibility for his actions and the risk they presented.

“Arson is always an extremely serious offence which can have devastating consequences, so I’m pleased our investigation, assisted by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, has led to Blunt now being brought to justice.”