🚨 Fire Drama in Barry! 🚨
In a shocking turn of events, a blaze erupted from a mindless act of arson, resulting in a whopping £200,000 worth of damage! A drunk Gareth Marsden set fire to a pile of rubbish outside a former newspaper office on Holton Road, Barry, causing devastation. The flames were so intense they affected the neighbouring pub, causing significant delays to its grand opening after a lavish refurb.
The owner of the building was heartbroken, sharing how the fire destroyed his first-ever project, stating Marsden had “set fire to a building that held my dreams.” Tragically, this mindless act also voided a substantial £250,000 grant, intensifying the financial loss.
Firefighters found the blaze was further fuelled by an underground gas leak, making the situation even more precarious. They battled fiercely to control the fire, while police evacuated nearby areas to ensure everyone’s safety.
Marsden, caught on CCTV, later admitted starting the fire in a drunken state, claiming no intent to harm. However, Judge Paul Thomas KC wasn’t convinced, stating Marsden may have derived “some sort of perverse pleasure” from his actions. With a guilty plea, Marsden was sentenced to 40 months in prison—set to serve part of his time behind bars and the remainder under supervision within the community.
A night of foolishness led to destruction and heartache, affecting not only the building’s owner but a whole community’s dreams and safety. Let’s hope this serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of such reckless behaviour.
Stay safe, everyone, and let’s look out for one another! 💔👮🔥