Pair jailed for starting fire at Francis Street in Lochgelly

Jamie Lee Morrison, 34, and Chloe Arnott, 31, started the blaze within a top-floor flat on Francis Street on October 23, 2023.

A heroic local resident raised the alarm and banged on doors to alert people to get out, thankfully there were no fatalities or serious injuries.

The building - which was home to 12 people - had to be demolished the following month due to the damage and the rebuilding costs faced by Fife Council are approximately £2.1 million.

At the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in July the pair, both of Kirkcaldy, admitted a charge of wilful fire-raising to danger of life.

They were originally charged with attempted murder.

Today (Thursday), at the High Court in Stirling, Morrison was jailed for five years and four months and Arnott for four years and four months.

She was also made subject to an eight-year non-harassment order.

(Video of the fire-damaged flats courtesy of the Crown Office)

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said:  “This was an extremely reckless act that could have had devastating consequences had it not been for the swift actions of a neighbour.   

“Instead of alerting residents to the fire taking hold, Morrison and Arnott simply left the property without raising the alarm.

“They will now have to face the consequences of their dangerous actions, and I hope this conviction brings some comfort to those affected by their offending.  

“Our prosecutors will continue to do our utmost to prosecute those who carry out dangerous acts such as this to help keep the communities we serve safe.”

The block of flats were so badly damaged that Fife Council took the decision to demolish the building. (Image: David Wardle)

The fire was started in the bedroom of a flat belonging to the ex-partner of Arnott.

A piece of paper was set alight using a cigarette lighter before the couple left the building without attempting to alert the occupants of the flats.

Eight residents were later evacuated after a neighbour heard a "loud crackling noise" coming from the adjoined flat.

He touched the wall of his living room, which was "very hot".

The neighbour ran out of his flat in a panic and could see orange flames through the glass panel of the nearby flat’s door.

The glass was starting to shatter.

He ran downstairs, knocking on the doors of all the flats on the way down and telling the occupiers to get out. No one was hurt during the incident.

Seven fire engines and two height appliances attended the scene with crews working throughout the night to extinguish the flames.

The community rallied round to support the residents, a rest centre was set up in Lochgelly Town Hall and the West End Bar held a charity concert to raise funds for those affected. 

At the trial in July, the court heard that on the day of the fire Morrison and Arnott had gone to visit friends in Lochgelly and had spent the day drinking.

They then went to the flat in Francis Street which was empty. The pair went inside and started the fire.

Later, Morrison admitted to a friend that he had set paper alight and the flat had gone on fire, which he said he did not intend to do.

The court heard he has 36 previous convictions, and was given a 12 month sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh in February 2016 for wilful fireraising.

Arnott has 13 previous convictions.