Arsonist put neighbours at risk in flat fire
Northumbria PoliceA woman who put her neighbours in danger when she deliberately started a fire in her flat has been jailed for two years and four months.
Maria Chambers, 56, lit the blaze in the living room of her ground floor flat on Padonhill in Sunderland in the early hours of 3 July, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Judge Stephen Earl said the fire had the potential to pose a "significant" risk but it was thanks to firefighters getting there quickly that it did not cause more damage.
Chambers, who had a history of severe mental health illnesses, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
GoogleThe judge said Chambers lived a "somewhat chaotic" lifestyle and "clutter" in her home only added to the risk of the blaze spreading quickly.
He said there was clearly an "intense heat" which led to the living room windows breaking, while smoke, which was major killer, had spread quickly.
The court heard there were two flats above Chambers' and others either side.
"This had the capacity quite clearly to be a significant fire," Judge Earl said.
In mitigation, Sophie Allinson-Howells said Chambers had been diagnosed with multiple serious mental health conditions and had been evicted after the fire, meaning she would be homeless upon her release from prison.
Judge Earl said Chambers would get the support she needed while in prison with the authorities then able to find her appropriate accommodation and help for when she is released, which should "assist her in returning to the community".