Man admits starting a string of fires across city

Reed-Metcalfe was accused of starting three fires in Gloucester

A man has admitted to starting a string of fires across a city.

Anthony Reed-Metcalfe, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, as well as one count of burglary, when he appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Reed-Metcalfe was charged over three fires started on 29 September.

Det Con Tom Newrick said: "Reed-Metcalfe acted in a dangerous and irresponsible manner, potentially putting people's lives at serious risk through his actions."

One of the fires was started at the Station Hotel in Gloucester

Police were called to a report of a building on fire on Southgate Street in the early hours of 29 September, the court heard.

As fire crews were making the building safe, another fire was spotted inside a building nearby.

Both the buildings were disused shops with residential properties above them, and people had to be evacuated.

A short time after, a number of calls were made to police to report large bin fires at different spots around the city.

'Catastrophic damage'

The court was told a suspect was spotted in the car park of Gloucester railway station and, while officers were searching the area, they heard the sound of smashing glass coming from the direction of The Station Hotel.

Emerging from a broken window was Reed-Metcalfe, who was arrested on suspicion of arson, and admitted starting a fire in the building.

He claimed he had been exploring and had set fire to a mattress and paper.

Fire crews were able to bring the blaze, which was on the first floor of the building, under control, but the damage caused was "catastrophic".

Reed-Metcalfe, of Eastern Avenue, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 18 November.