Pair guilty of fireraising at Francis Street in Lochgelly

The man - who hasn’t been identified - rushed to tell people living at the block of flats in Francis Street in Lochgelly that their lives were at risk.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he sprang into action in the moments after Jamie Morrison, 34, and Chloe Arnott, 32, started the fire at her former boyfriend’s flat.

Prosecutor Brian Gill KC said the man had came home from work on the evening of October 23 last year and saw the two accused outside the property.

He told the court: “He heard a loud crackling noise coming from the flat. He touched the wall of his living room which adjoined the flat.

“It was very hot. He realised there was a fire. He then ran out of his flat in a panic.

“In the hallway, he could see the orange colours of flames through the glass of the front door of flat 21 which was shut.

“The glass was starting to shatter. The neighbour ran downstairs and knocked on the doors of all the flats on the way to tell them to get out.”

Nine fire appliances and their crews rushed to battle the fire at Francis Street in Lochgelly on October 23 last year. (Image: David Wardle)

Seven fire engines and two height appliances attended the scene and 12 flats were evacuated. 

Mr Gill added: “The fire was substantial and resulted in the demolition of the building. No one was hurt.”

At the high court today Morrison and Arnott - both of Kirkcaldy - pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful fireraising to the danger of residents’ lives.

The pair admitted starting the blaze without “alerting occupants” that they had done so.

They had previously been charged with attempted murder.

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

Arnott, who is currently on remand on HMP Polmont, has 13 previous convictions.

Following the blaze, a teenage couple who lived at the tenement told of how they had to leave with just the “clothes on their back”.

Aaron Traynor, 18, and girlfriend Abbey Bruce,19, said they were left “traumatised” by the fire.

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

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. 

In November, Fife Council were forced to demolish the block. Eye witnesses saw abandoned furniture and other household items from the street as work began.

Mr Gill said the council’s estimated costs of rebuilding the block amounted to £2.1 million.

The prosecutor told the court 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.

Mr Gill said: “At the time of the offence, the accused were in a relationship together.

“They were living in Glenrothes and the second accused had previously been in a relationship with (the flat occupant) and had lived with him until late 2023.”

Mr Gill said that after starting the fire, both Morrison and Arnott returned to their friends. Morrison told a pal that he had started a “blaze” but “did not mean” to do it.

Police later arrested the pair and charged them with attempted murder.

Judge Fiona Tait deferred sentence to obtain background reports.

Morrison’s solicitor advocate Gordon Martin and Arnott’s advocate Michael Anderson KC will address the sentencing hearing which will be held in Edinburgh on August 28.