CCTV footage shows the moment an arsonist accidentally set fire to his own hand while torching two family cars in the middle of the night. Krzysztof Orzechowski, 32, poured fuel from a jerry can onto vehicles parked on a driveway in Stoke Road, Slough, Berkshire, shortly before 4am on March 9.
The footage captures him fleeing the blaze as the cars burst into flames, desperately shaking his burning hand. The victims, including children, were forced to evacuate while their home and cars suffered substantial damage.
High-speed pursuit and arrest
Six days later, Thames Valley Police attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Orzechowski during a pursuit in which he reached speeds of up to 100mph. He eventually crashed after taking a corner too fast and was arrested.
Orzechowski pleaded guilty to one count each of arson with intent to endanger life and driving a motor vehicle dangerously at Reading Crown Court on April 13. He also admitted two counts of possessing controlled drugs of class A and B, namely cocaine and cannabis/cannabis resin.
Sentencing and victim impact
Orzechowski, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison, with an extended period of three years, at Reading Crown Court on August 19. The judge also disqualified him from driving for a year upon his release and ordered him to pay a £228 surcharge.
In a victim statement, one of those affected said: “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.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable 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.”
