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Arsonist jailed in wake of Clifton high-rise tower block fire

21 October 2024

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. Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 4 October, 45-year-old Richard Blunt pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness and the possession of cannabis. Judge Rosalind Coe KC sentenced Blunt to three years behind bars.

The Emergency Services had been called to Southchurch Court, off Farnborough Road in Clifton (a suburb of the City of Nottingham) on the evening of 30 March, following reports that a smoke alarm had been activated on the 16th floor of the 20-storey building.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service crews arrived on scene and quickly formulated a plan, with smoke now billowing from the front door of the two-bedroom flat. Almost every room was thick with toxic smoke and there was zero visibility when members entered the premises.

As a result, they used a thermal imaging camera to locate the scene of the fire and employed hose reel jets to put out the blaze before searching the rest of the property and checking the welfare of all residents. A positive pressure fan was used to clear the smoke.

Subsequently, a fire investigation team established that attempts had been made to set a sofa alight, with a can of lighter fluid present and evidence of smoking materials found under a cushion. Extensive fire damage was also realised 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 officers stopped and arrested Blunt nearby. Blunt, who was in possession of a quantity of cannabis, was questioned and subsequently charged. 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, which had been aggravated by alcohol use. It was also accepted that Blunt had shown remorse and taken steps to address his alcohol addiction.

Putting lives in danger

Detective Sergeant James Hirst of Nottinghamshire Police said: “It’s only due to 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.”

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

Fire investigation manager Lucie Poxon responded: “Luckily, nobody was hurt as a result of this incident, but sadly this isn’t always the case. Setting fires deliberately can pose a huge risk to life, as well as destroying the environment and people’s property.”

In conclusion, Poxon noted: “This sentencing is a prime example of great collaboration between partner organisations to deliver an outcome which will ultimately keep the people of Nottinghamshire that much safer.”

 
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