Fire officers have welcomed the conviction of a man who started a fire outside flats in Rotherham.
Alex Teasdale of Meadow Close, Dalton, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and given a 10-year restraining order at Sheffield Crown Court on 5 November, after pleading guilty to committing arson recklessly as to whether life would be endangered at the property in Dalton, Rotherham in September 2019.
The fire – which involved household waste – quickly spread to the exterior of the flats, forcing the occupants to evacuate. Fire cause investigators quickly identified arson as the most probable cause of the fire and CCTV footage was used to help bring about the conviction.
Arson - a grave crime with real potential to endanger life
Area Manager - Cath Toovey, said: “Arson is a terrible crime with the real potential to endanger life. People starting fires do get caught and they do get prosecuted, as this case clearly illustrates.”
DC Dawn Murray, from South Yorkshire Police, added: “This was an extremely distressing ordeal for the residents of these flats and could very easily have ended with tragic consequences. I’m pleased our partnership work with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has resulted in this sentence, which serves as a strong message to others that arson is not tolerated in our communities.”