Man, 23, Sets Ratten Row Home Ablaze Leaving Woman Severely Burned
Arson Horror in Wadworth
Connor O’Rourke, 23, sparked terror in June last year by dousing a front garden and bins on Ratten Row, Wadworth, with fuel before setting it all alight. The flames rapidly spread toward the house, where a 40-year-old woman was trapped inside.
Victims Suffer Terrifying Injuries
Detective Inspector Lee Townley from Doncaster CID recounted the horror: “I can only imagine the fear that engulfed the occupants of that home in the moments following O’Rourke lighting the fire.”
- The woman inside the property suffered burns covering over 60% of her body and was initially not expected to survive.
- Another 20-year-old woman who witnessed the blaze suffered burns to her legs requiring hospital treatment and still battles after-effects.
- Three other occupiers escaped unharmed.
Family Traumatized as Property Destroyed
The house endured significant damage from the blaze. DI Townley added, “The devastation this incident has caused is huge – a family has been left traumatised. I am pleased with the sentence handed to O’Rourke today.”
He continued, “O’Rourke now faces a significant period in prison to reflect on the harm he caused.”
Arsonist Sentenced at Doncaster Crown Court
On the night of June 26, after a dispute with a resident, O’Rourke deliberately set the fire. Emergency services were called at 9:50pm. At an earlier trial, O’Rourke, from Beechfield Road, was found guilty of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He appeared in court on 5 March for sentencing.
