A man who set fire to and caused an explosion at the family home has been jailed at Preston Crown Court.

Darren Davies, 55, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.

Davies poured petrol in the bedrooms and attic of the bungalow on Carr Lane, Hambleton, before lighting a candle which ignited the fire. He claimed he intended to kill himself but told witnesses at the scene he wanted to make sure he took the house with him.

Joanne Close of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “My thoughts are with Davies’ brother and the rest of the family as they continue to come to terms with the impact of this devastating incident.

“Nothing can replace the memories and belongings lost in the home. His brother was left only with the personal items he had taken with him on his commute. Everything else he owned, and everything that had belonged to their parents, was destroyed.

“The impact on his brother has been life changing, and he has had to rely on the kindness of the community. Other family members have also suffered the loss of treasured family possessions and memories.

“Whilst nothing can replace what has been lost, I hope today's sentence provides them with some sense of justice.”

Emergency services attended the property around 9.50am on 27 March 2026, following several reports of a fire and explosion at a bungalow on Carr Lane, Hambleton.

They found the property engulfed by fire, leading to residents in the surrounding area being evacuated for their own safety.

Davies was spoken to at the scene and told officers he had set the fire, having poured petrol in the rooms and lit a candle, aware that there were gas cannisters in the home.

He told the emergency services that he had thought about killing himself and wanted to make sure he took the house with him.

The fire report confirmed that the force of the explosion posed a risk to the lives of people in the vicinity. The property was severely damaged, with the roof collapsing into the rooms below and everything inside was destroyed by the intensity of the fire.

During the investigation, Darren Davies’ brother told officers that Davies had become increasingly fixated on the belief that he had been left out of their father’s will, despite the will clearly stating that he would inherit the family home jointly with his brother.

Davies was arrested at the scene and made no comment in his police interviews.

He pleaded guilty to arson on 14 May 2026, at Preston Crown Court.