Arsonist jailed for starting fire in tower block

Richard Blunt pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered

An arsonist has been jailed after setting fire to his 16th floor flat in a Nottingham tower block.

Richard Blunt, 45, pleaded guilty to causing the blaze at Southchurch Court off Farnborough Road in Clifton on 30 March.

Emergency services were called to reports of an active smoke alarm in the 20-storey building at about 22:00 GMT.

Police said Blunt put the lives of families at risks with his actions after he was sentenced to three years in prison at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews found every room of Blunt's flat thick with toxic smoke, police said.

After putting the blaze out, the firefighters searched the property and checked the welfare of residents.

Police said a fire investigation team found 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 discovered in the hallway, after a pile of clothing and boxes had been set alight.

The fire caused roads to be closed around the building, but no evacuation was needed as the fire was isolated to Blunt's flat.

'Many lives' endangered

The force said officers stopped and arrested Blunt nearby about 40 minutes later.

He pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

According to police, the court heard Blunt had mental health difficulties at the time of the offence, aggravated by alcohol use and had since taken steps to address his 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.”

Det Sgt James Hirst said the early intervention of fire crews and the activation of the sprinkler system meant "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," he added.