Arson Terror in Clacton: Man Jailed for Setting Fire in Flats
Thomas McGinn, 38, from Colne Road, was locked up after pleading guilty to arson endangering life at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, 3 December. The fire broke out in the communal hallway of a Clacton block of flats on Carnarvon Road in the early hours of 1 April.
Rampage in Stairway: Lives at Risk
Investigators found a magazine deliberately set on fire and tossed at the bottom of the stairway — the only escape for two families living above. CCTV footage captured McGinn entering the building as the blaze started and still smouldering minutes after he left.
Quick Police Work Cracks Case
- Still images of McGinn were circulated internally.
- An officer recognised him, having stopped him near the scene shortly after the fire.
- McGinn was arrested on 19 April and initially denied any involvement despite the mounting evidence.
Four Years Behind Bars for a Reckless Blazer
“This could have had catastrophic consequences,” warned Detective Sergeant Dan Smith of Clacton CID. “The fire alarm and quick evacuation saved lives. Thanks to diligent police work, McGinn was swiftly caught and now faces four years in prison.”
The court also slapped on an extended three-year licence after McGinn’s sentence. The blazing case sends a strong message: fire isn’t a joke and those who use it to endanger others will pay.
