A man has admitted deliberately setting fire to his flat – costing the city council £12,600 in damages.
Neighbours were woken by the sound of a fire alarm early on the morning of August 2 this year.
They could see smoke billowing from Jordan Gall’s property and called the fire brigade and police.
The 24-year-old was not within the locked property, having exited moments after setting two separate fires.
He appeared from custody at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday to plead guilty to a charge of wilful fireraising.
Fiscal depute Anna Chisholm told the court Gall had been staying in what was temporary accommodation provided by the city council at Lintmill Terrace, Aberdeen.
He was staying in a first floor flat at the time of the incident.
“At about 4.30am on August 2, a witness was asleep in a neighbouring property when she was awoken by the sound of a smoke alarm,” Ms Chisholm said.
“She went out into the street where she saw the smoke and she contacted the fire and rescue service and also the police.”
The court heard another witness saw fire coming out of Gall’s flat and noticed “all of the windows were open”.
The witness directed police to Gall’s apartment and the blaze was extinguished within 20 to 25 minutes.
Fire crews entered to ensure no one was inside the property.
The court was told Gall had set alight an “unknown item”, with police concluding the blaze was “caused wilfully”.
After an investigation of the property, they identified two areas in which fires had been started – one in the bedroom and the other in the living room.
They reported the deliberate fire was fuelled by “combustible material” which “burnt up” the floorboards and the carpets.
Ms Chisholm said: “CCTV footage from the shop below the flat was reviewed which showed the accused entering the property alone at around 3.20am and leaving alone again at 4.12am.
She added: “Aberdeen City Council said the fire caused extensive damages, worth about £12,600 or more.”
Gall was subsequently arrested and answered “no comment” to questions at Kittybrewster police station.
Sheriff Graeme Napier told him yesterday: “You will appreciate this is a very serious crime you have pleaded guilty to.
“I will put off making a decision to allow for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.”
Gall was remanded in custody and will appear for sentencing at a later date.
