Man jailed for setting fire to Salisbury flat door

25 year old Samuel Dolan from Southampton admitted arson

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 2nd Nov 2023

A man who set fire to the entrance of a Salisbury flat has been jailed for more than four years.

25 year old Samuel Dolan, from Northam Road in Southampton admitted arson with intent to endanger life, and threats to damage or destroy property.

He's been sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court to a 51 month prison sentence.

He set the front door of a first floor flat in Castle Street alight, at around 2.00am on July 25th.

Dolan was known to the occupants, who were woken by the smell of smoke.

Their only normal escape was on fire, so they screamed for help and were led to safety using ladders.

Detective Constable Jeremy Horner from Wiltshire Police said:

“Dolan’s actions caused a significant amount of damage to the address and put the lives of those living inside the flat in great danger, leaving them with no way out of the address other than via the window. It was fortunate that members of the public were in the vicinity and able to assist in rescuing the two occupants quickly and safely.

“I am pleased that a custodial sentence has been passed which reflects the seriousness of Dolan’s behaviour.”

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