Arthur Marsh, 53, of no fixed address, has been jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to arson for setting fire to his bed at Abbott House, a supported accommodation for 18 homeless people in Newcastle. The fire on June 6 caused substantial damage and put vulnerable residents, staff and cats at risk.
Fire and evacuation
A support worker noticed smoke coming down a stairwell and traced it to Marsh's room. When they opened his door, they were met with thick black smoke, and the premises were evacuated. The fire caused significant damage to the ceiling, walls and furniture in the room but did not spread to other parts of the building.
Marsh, who had left after setting the fire, returned and admitted: "I'm sorry, I did it, it was me." He had deliberately set his bed alight using pieces of paper under his duvet. He later told police he had been distressed about a proposed move to an area where he feared for his safety but denied intending to endanger anyone's life.
Impact on residents and staff
A member of staff said in a victim impact statement that 18 residents, four members of staff and three cats were present at the time of the fire. They said Marsh was fond of the cats and they were shocked he had put them in danger.
"The other residents felt sorry for him at first because they thought it was an accident. Once the reality became apparent they were shocked and saddened, which turned to anger because they considered him a friend," the staff member said. "They continue to feel anxiety and distress that one of their own would carry out such a heinous act without consideration for their lives."
A staff member thought Marsh was still in the building and was frantically shouting for him to help him escape. "The biggest shock was playing the CCTV and watching him leaving his room and calmly leaving the building, knowing others were inside, then casually returning to the scene showing little regard for his actions. This from someone we thought we knew well."
Cost and sentencing
The fire has so far cost £6,500 in repairs and £3,000 in other losses, including housing benefit. It has also taken away a bed another homeless person could have had.
Marsh, who has 30 previous convictions, including two arsons in 1994 and 1996, pleaded guilty to arson and was jailed for 28 months. He said he understood the sentence and said "I deserve it."
Brian Hegarty, defending, said: "It was an ill-thought-out act, it was thoroughly stupid. He was not thinking properly about what he had done and what it had the chance to do." He added that Marsh was happy at the accommodation and supported for his cognitive difficulties, and that he "was full of regret straight away and told the staff he was responsible."
