Woman jailed for Northampton flat fire

A woman who started a fire in the bathroom of her first floor flat has been sent to prison for 12 months.

On the evening of June 2, 2024, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to a block of flats in Wallbeck Close, Kingsthorpe, after a resident heard smoke alarms and a loud bang from a neighbouring flat where Skye McDonald lived.

When the neighbour knocked on McDonald’s door, the 31-year-old opened it to reveal billowing smoke, resulting in the evacuation of the whole block.

Firefighters found the bathroom full of smoke and two smouldering fires - one on the floor involving various items such as toilet paper, cloth, a melted lighter and an exploded aerosol can, and the other involving toilet paper on top of a small wooden unit - suggesting the fire had been started deliberately.

Northamptonshire Police began an investigation which resulted in McDonald being charged with criminal damage recklessly endangering life, as well as possession of a Class B drug (cannabis) which had been found in her home.

She went on to enter guilty pleas to both offences, and on October 4, she appeared at Northampton Crown Court where she was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.

McDonald was also told to pay a £187 victim surcharge. No separate penalty was imposed for the drugs possession, with a destruction order made for the cannabis.

Investigating officer PC Rea Huckin of CID West said: “Skye McDonald’s actions that night could have caused significant harm to herself and to other residents and their homes.

“She is very fortunate that the fires she started did not take hold – even so, the heat generated was enough to cause an aerosol cannister to explode which shows just how dangerous even a small fire can be.

“We are committed to keeping our communities safe and I would like to thank our colleagues at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service for their assistance and expertise during this investigation.”