A man in his 50s has been arrested after setting fire to his own home in Lancashire, leaving his brother without a family inheritance and a lifetime of memories. The incident occurred on Carr Lane in Hambleton, where the man's bungalow erupted into flames and caused significant damage to the surrounding area.
The fire was discovered at around 9:50 am, with witnesses reporting a loud bang and thick black smoke billowing from the property. Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and brought the blaze under control before it could spread to nearby homes. However, the damage was extensive, with the roof collapsing into the rooms below and debris scattered across the surrounding area.
The defendant told police and paramedics who arrived at the scene that he had intended to take his own life. A subsequent investigation revealed that three gas cylinders had been placed in the kitchen, front living room, and one of the front bedrooms, along with petrol in the loft and a lit candle. The cause of the fire was deemed to be the application of a naked flame to combustible materials, with an ignitable liquid used to accelerate the development of the fire.
The defendant's brother, who had been given a share of the bungalow in his parents' wills, told the court that his sibling had developed a bizarre idea that he was the victim of a plot to deprive him of his inheritance. The brother also stated that their parents had made wills which gave an equal share of the bungalow to the two brothers, but that the defendant had become increasingly paranoid and accusatory in the months leading up to the fire.
The defendant had a long history of mental health difficulties, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder. A psychiatric report from the defence concluded that he was mentally unwell at the time of setting the fire, citing an "autism crisis" as the reason for his actions.
The defendant's brother applied to the court for compensation, seeking a sum of over £170,000 to cover the loss of his share of the bungalow and other personal belongings. The court heard that the defendant had made significant progress in custody since receiving psychiatric treatment and medication, but that he was not in a position to deal with questions of compensation at this time.
The defendant was sentenced to a maximum of half his sentence in custody, with the remainder on licence. The court took into account the defendant's guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and his reduced responsibility due to his mental disorder. The sentence was seen as a sad and serious case, but one that acknowledged the defendant's mental health difficulties and the impact of his actions on his family and community.
The incident has left the defendant's brother without a family inheritance and a lifetime of memories, and has had a significant impact on the wider community. The case highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and seeking support when needed.
