An arsonist accidentally torched his own hand while setting cars and a home on fire in the middle of the night.
Krzysztof Orzechowski poured a can of fuel on vehicles parked on a driveway in Slough, Berkshire, setting them alight at around 4am on March 9.
The 32-year-old unintentionally burnt his hand as he was captured on CCTV fleeing the inferno when the cars burst into flames.
Evacuations and damage
Families were forced to evacuate while their home and cars were left with substantial damage by the blaze.
Orzechowski sped off in his own vehicle, reaching up to 100mph as he was chased by police from the scene.
Court appearance and sentence
He eventually crashed after swerving a corner before he was detained by officers.
The arsonist appeared at Reading Crown Court on April 13, where he admitted to one count each of arson with intent to endanger life and driving a motor vehicle dangerously.
Orzechowski also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing controlled drugs of class A and B, namely cocaine and cannabis/cannabis resin.
A judge handed him a sentence of five years and seven months in prison, with an extended period of three years on August 19.
He is also banned from driving for a year following his release from prison and was ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
Victim impact
One of his victims said in an impact statement: ‘I feel like every part of my life has been impacted by this.
‘This incident did not just damage property: it damaged our sense of safety; it damaged our mental health; it changed how we live and how we feel in our own home.
‘We are frightened, unsettled and constantly on edge.
“It has affected every part of my life and my family’s life, and I am not sure when or if we will ever fully recover.’
DC Chloe Winchcombe said: ‘Krzysztof Orzechowski is a dangerous offender and a risk to the public, so I’m pleased he has been sentenced accordingly after this shocking behaviour.
‘It is incredibly fortunate that no one was hurt after Orzechowski set fire to two cars in the middle of the night and recklessly drove at high speeds in a futile attempt to evade arrest.
‘Thames Valley Police will never tolerate such offending so we will always work tirelessly to bring perpetrators like Orzechowski to justice and support victims.’
