Couple jailed for £2.1m fire which risked ‘devastating consequences’

A couple who deliberately set fire to a block of flats, which is costing about £2.1 million to rebuild, have been jailed.

Jamie Lee Morrison, 34, and Chloe Arnott, 31, started the blaze in the bedroom of Ms Arnott’s ex-partner on 23 October last year, Scotland’s prosecution service said.

The top-floor flat on Francis Street, Lochgelly, Fife, went up in flames after a piece of paper was set on fire with a lighter, which spread to the entire top floor and much of building.

The couple then left the building without attempting to alert any residents.

Eight occupants were evacuated after a neighbour became aware of a crackling noise coming from the flat. He touched the wall of his living room, which he described as “very hot”.

He then left his flat and could see flames through the glass panel of the flat door, with the glass beginning to shatter.

He ran downstairs, knocking on the doors of his neighbours to warn them of the fire.

Nobody was hurt during the incident.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent five appliances to the scene and worked throughout the night to extinguish the flames.

After leaving the block of flats, Morrison, 34, admitted to a friend that he had set paper alight and the flat had gone on fire, which he said he did not intend to do.

The blaze caused about £78,000 worth of damage, and rebuilding costs are estimated to be around £2.1 million.

The building, home to 12 people, was demolished in December.

The pair admitted to wilful fireraising to danger of life on July 25 at Edinburgh High Court.

On Thursday, at the High Court in Stirling, Mr Morrison was jailed for five years and three months, and Ms Arnott for four years and three months.

Ms Arnott was also made subject to an eight-year non-harassment order.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: ”This was an extremely reckless act that could have had devastating consequences had it not been for the swift actions of a neighbour.

“Instead of alerting residents to the fire taking hold, Morrison and Arnott simply left the property without raising the alarm.

“They will now have to face the consequences of their dangerous actions, and I hope this conviction brings some comfort to those affected by their offending.

“Our prosecutors will continue to do our utmost to prosecute those who carry out dangerous acts such as this to help keep the communities we serve safe.”

Detective Inspector Kieran Marsh, of Police Scotland, said: “This was a reckless act that has had huge consequences for the other residents of the building, as well as the local community.

“The pair had a complete disregard for others that could have been seriously injured by their actions.

“It’s thanks to the work of officers, our partners at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and the help of the community, we were able to bring them to justice. I would like to thank everyone who helped with our inquiries.”