A pair of arsonists who set light to a mattress outside a block of flats almost caused a catastrophic explosion when the fire quickly spread and melted the outside of a gas metre.

Drug addicts Thomas Marshall and Abbie Jackson used matches to start the blaze at the rear of the property, which adjoins a busy town centre pub, before stepping back and watching their handiwork take effect.

The couple heard how their reckless behaviour could have cost countless lives if the fire had completely burned through the gas pipe and caused a huge explosion.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said 15 people, including three children and three vulnerable adults, were evacuated from the block of flats on Queen Street, Redcar, before the adjoining pub O’Gradys was also cleared of punters.

Read next: Violent thug strangled girlfriend TWICE after he wet the bed while drunk

“Fire investigators said it was a miracle an explosion hadn’t destroyed the whole building,” he said.

He told the judge that both defendants were identified through CCTV images.

Mr Newcombe said the rear of the property had been getting used by drug addicts and he had tried to secure the area to prevent any further problems.

The owner of the block of flats told the court of his devastation when he saw the amount of damage caused to the property.

The Northern Echo: The flats on Queen Street, Redcar, which was set alight by Thomas Marshall and Abbie JacksonThe flats on Queen Street, Redcar, which was set alight by Thomas Marshall and Abbie Jackson (Image: Google)

In a victim impact statement, he added: “Had the gas gone up, it would have taken both buildings out, the pub was crowded that night, and people would have been killed.

Marshall, 31, and 26-year-old Jackson, both of Harwal Road, Redcar, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless whether they endangered life following the fire April 4 this year.

The Northern Echo: Thomas MarshallThomas Marshall (Image: Cleveland Police)

Robert Mochrie, representing Marshall, said his client did not start the fire in anger it was a moment of ‘impulsivity’.

“He was under the influence of substances at the time, particularly heroin,” he added. “He didn’t expect the fire to take hold.”

Read next:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here

While Michele Turner, representing Jackson, said her client’s life had spiralled out of control after she turned to heroin to block out the pain of losing a child in 2017.

The Northern Echo: Abbie JacksonAbbie Jackson (Image: Cleveland Police)

Recorder Martin Rose tolds the pair it was lucky they didn't cause a catastrophic explosion after they started the fire.

He said: “Had the fire burned through the gas metre causing a gas leak then there would have been a significant explosion and significant harm to life.

“It is only by good fortune that that did not occur.”

Marshall was jailed for four years and six months after the judge heard he had a similar offence on his record, while Jackson was locked up for three years and nine months.