Man Jailed After Pouring Petrol and Torching Flat
Darren Edwards, 48, sparked a dangerous blaze by dousing his front door floor with flammable liquid and setting it alight. The fire quickly ripped through his second-floor flat in Bestwood, Nottingham.
Firefighters Rescue Neighbours in Early Hours
Fire crews raced to Belconnen Road just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021. They evacuated Edwards and his neighbours swiftly, preventing potential tragedy as flames spread.
Edwards Admits Arson, Claims No Intent to Harm
Edwards was arrested at the scene. In court, he confessed to deliberately starting the fire but insisted he never meant to hurt anyone.
Prison Sentence for Reckless Arson
He was handed a 3 year and 8-month prison term on Monday after pleading guilty to arson with recklessness towards life.
“Edwards could very easily have killed or seriously injured himself or others during this incident, which would have been a lot worse without the very quick attention of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service,” said Detective Inspector Ruby Burrow.
“I am pleased that he has now been sentenced, and I hope that this incident will serve as a warning to others about the consequences of deliberately starting fires.”
