Arsonist jailed after putting lives at risk

A man who put tenants’ lives in danger has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after starting fires in one of our tower blocks.

We have successfully prosecuted Mariusz Wieczorek, aged 45, (pictured) who carried out a series of arson attacks at Arthur Millwood Court in 2015.

Our Customer Service (1st Response) Team – who mainly operate the concierge and CCTV to our high-rise properties – became suspicious of Wieczorek.

After reviewing CCTV footage and finding he was always in the vicinity at the time of previous fires, our team put a trace on a key fob he was using. One evening the team were alerted by the marker on the system that Wieczorek had arrived at the tower block and on investigation CCTV showed him going to a bulk storage area.

When staff arrived at the scene they found a fire was burning in the storage area which they extinguished.

At a trial in October, Manchester Crown Court heard the only motive Wieczorek had in starting the fires was that he was unhappy with parking arrangements. He set alight bulk items in a refuse store – even though he often stayed in Arthur Millwood Court with his partner and her child.

He was found guilty at the trial of “arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered”.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “The safety of our tenants is a top priority for us and I would like to commend the quick-thinking actions of our staff and the emergency services in bringing this man to justice – in what ultimately could have caused serious consequences.”