A man has pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether another person’s life was endangered.
Darron Hills, 56, started the fire at his own flat in Trafalgar Road, Portslade, in February, Lewes Crown Court was told.
Today (Wednesday 22 October), in court, he admitted the offence but pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of arson with intent to endanger to life.
Judge Christine Laing, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove, made an interim hospital order, requiring an assessment of Hills’s mental health to be carried out within 28 days.
The case was adjourned until a mention hearing on Monday 24 November when Hills will not be required to attend.
Today, Sarah Lindop appeared for the prosecution and James Hay for the defence.
The fire was reported late in the afternoon on Thursday 6 February in a three-storey building on the A293 Trafalgar Road, close to Southern Cross.
It was the evening rush hour and traffic backed up on local main roads.
The road was temporarily closed, with traffic diverted while the emergency services worked at the scene.
At the time of the fire, the fire service said: “The fire was on the second floor of a three-storey building.
“The building was evacuated.
“Firefighters used four breathing apparatus, two hose-reel and one jet to put the fire out.
“There are no reports of injuries.”
