CCTV has captured the moment an arsonist set himself on fire while trying to burn down a fish and chips shop. Lubos Filek, 40, caused more than £100,000 worth of damage when he torched up Abbey Fisheries in Selby, North Yorkshire, back in March. As the flames spread through the building, Filek fled the scene – […]
CCTV has captured the moment an arsonist set himself on fire while trying to burn down a fish and chips shop.
Lubos Filek, 40, caused more than £100,000 worth of damage when he torched up Abbey Fisheries in Selby, North Yorkshire, back in March.
As the flames spread through the building, Filek fled the scene – but not before setting himself on fire.
The arsonist’s clothes caught on fire, and he suffered burns to his hands and body.
Firefighters were called to the shop in Gowthorpe at 3.50am on March 21 after members of the public reported the blaze, a police spokesman said.
Filek was sentenced to five years and eight months in jail at York Crown Court today.
The spokesman said the defendant discarded some items of clothing in a nearby alleyway and they were still smouldering when officers found them.
DNA tests on the discarded clothing and identified unemployed Filek, of Holmes Avenue in Selby.
But he denied setting the building on fire, claiming he was at his girlfriend’s home on the night of the incident.
However, Filek told his solicitor advocate Graham Parkin he had started the fire at the request of a loan shark to whom he owed £2,000.
The force said Filek later pleaded guilty to the charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Detective Constable Peter Smith said: “The huge blaze started by Filek could have caused untold damage to innocent people and neighbouring buildings.
“It’s surprising nobody was seriously hurt or killed.
“The fire spread very quickly – so quickly in fact that it appears to have caught Filek totally by surprise as he ignited himself along with the building.
“Thankfully, we were able to identify and track down this offender very quickly and we’re grateful for the information provided to us by members of the Selby community.”
Dc Smith added: “Filek never explained why he did it or gave any reason for his actions, but that didn’t stop us building a case against him that has resulted in a significant prison sentence today.
“North Yorkshire is safer when criminals like him are behind bars.”
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