An arsonist was found guilty of setting fire to his ground floor flat in Mitcham intending to put people’s lives at risk.

Kevin Baldwin, of Mitcham Park, Mitcham, denied arson with intent to endanger life at the same address where he lived but was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, December 4, after a short trial.

Your Local Guardian:

Damage to the ground floor flat 

Terrified residents in the house converted into flats told the Wimbledon Guardian at the time of the blaze in April how they threw their pets out of windows to save them from the ground floor fire.

Neighbours of Baldwin, who had been renting the flat on the ground floor, were forced to throw their dogs and cats out of an upstairs window to save them as the choking black smoke took hold.

Your Local Guardian:

Damage to a chair at the house

Your Local Guardian:

Smoke damage to windows and curtains was visible from outside the property at the time and a smouldering sofa and blankets could be seen on the ground having been dragged outside.

The 51-year-old denied had denied arson with intent to endanger life but was found guilty.

A psychiatric report has been ordered prior to sentencing at the same court on Thursday, January 29 next year.

He has been remanded in custody until then.