Couple jailed for starting £2m fire at Fife flats

Later, they were seen inside the flat, seemingly gathering together piles of clothing.

While inside, they lit a piece of paper using a cigarette lighter.

Morrison’s lawyer, Billy Lavelle, said: “He accepts he lit this piece of paper. He thought he had stamped on it to put it out. Clearly he was wrong and the consequences were serious. He wishes to apologise to the residents for what happened.”

Michael Anderson KC, defending Arnott, said: “The devastating consequences of the fire were not foreseen.

“Drug and alcohol addiction has dogged her life and this offence occurred when she was severely under the influence of addictive substances.”

The court heard multiple fire crews used height appliances to reach the flames on the top floor and worked through the night to deal with the blaze.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said:

“This was an extremely reckless act that could have had devastating consequences had it not been for the swift actions of a neighbour.

“Instead of alerting residents to the fire taking hold, Morrison and Arnott simply left the property without raising the alarm.

“They will now have to face the consequences of their dangerous actions, and I hope this conviction brings some comfort to those affected by their offending.”