A man from Workington has been jailed for arson after recklessly setting fire to a house in Seaton which involved him turning the gas on.

Russell Mason, of Barnett Drive, Workington was sentenced to four years at Carlisle Crown Court for arson with recklessness as to life being endangered after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

On March 18, a concerned neighbour on Queens Avenue, Seaton heard smashing noises from the adjoining property and contacted another neighbour with her concerns.

The 38-year-old was witnessed by the neighbour climbing from the kitchen window where he then sat on the front doorstep.

The neighbour then noticed the house was ablaze and called emergency services, confronting Mason with concerns for their family.

Neighbours were concerned that there was another occupant in the property, but Mason laughed and walked away as neighbours risked their lives by forcing entry to the home to search for other occupants.

Mason then ran when he heard emergency services arriving at the scene before he was arrested.

Detective Constable Ben Wright from Cumberland CID said: “By setting the home ablaze with fuel and leaving the gas cooker on, Mason not only risked his own life, but also those of the family in the adjoining property and others who rushed to help.

“Luckily, no one was injured, but the fire was well-developed causing significant damage. We take arson offences extremely seriously and today’s sentence reflects that.”