A Sudanese asylum seeker was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after setting fire to his hotel room in Bradford, West Yorkshire, a court heard. The incident, which endangered up to 170 people, occurred last year at a six-storey hotel housing residents and staff.

Mohammed Abdalla, 28, was due to be evicted from the hotel on October 31, 2022, due to unrelated behavioral issues. After spending several hours in the hotel reception waiting for a taxi, Abdalla requested to return to his second-floor room. Shortly afterward, a fire alarm was triggered, prompting security staff to respond to the scene.

Prosecutor Tayo Dasaolu told Bradford Crown Court that upon arriving at Abdalla’s room, security personnel found a fire burning inside. Abdalla was described as sitting on a chair in the corridor outside his room, smiling at the security team as flames burned behind him. One staff member attempted to extinguish the fire but struggled to breathe due to the smoke.

Judge Ella Anderson highlighted the risk posed by the fire, noting the presence of between 150 and 160 residents and 10 staff members in the building at the time. The judge said it was "difficult to see what might have happened" had the security staff not acted promptly.

Abdalla denied starting the fire initially and claimed security officers had taken his lighter. However, a lighter was later found on his person. He ultimately pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. The fire caused damage estimated at more than £4,000.

The court noted Abdalla’s future in the United Kingdom remains uncertain following his conviction.