Dawlish News
A man with a drink problem who set fire to his own home has admitted putting the lives of his neighbours in danger.
Philip Fewings had been drinking cider for several hours before he lit two fires in his garden, another in a communal hallway and a fourth inside his flat in Dawlish.
The last fire was put out within seconds by firefighters who had already been called to the other late night blazes in Chestnut Walk.
Fewings, aged 61, of Cestnut Walk, Dawlish, admitted arson being reckless whether life was endangered and his case was adjourned for a probation pre sentence report by Judge Phillip Wassall at Exeter Crown Court.
The case had been listed for trial but Fewings admitted the arson and was bailed to await sentence.
Miss Sarah Vince, defending, said a psychiatric report has already been prepared on Fewings but the court may be helped by a pre sentence report.
Firefighters were called to Chestnut Walk in June this year to tackle the remains of two small fires in a garden and one in a balcony area, which had been started using bedding.
They found another small fire which had been started very shortly before inside Fewings’ property.
An earlier hearing was told he had been drinking before the incident and that the fire had the potential to put his neighbours at risk, including one who was asleep in an adjoining property.
