A 55-year-old man was sentenced to four years in prison after deliberately setting fire to his childhood home in a dispute over inheritance. Darren Davies ignited the blaze on March 27, 2025, at the four-bedroom bungalow in Carr Lane, Hambleton, near Blackpool, causing a significant explosion that left only one wall of the £260,000 property standing.

Authorities were called to the scene on the morning of the incident after Davies, who was inside the house when it exploded, suffered minor injuries. According to reports, Davies admitted responsibility for the explosion, stating, “It is not a gas leak, I need locking up, it was me,” and later told emergency workers that he had attempted to kill himself while destroying the house.

The blaze was fueled by petrol poured in the bedroom and attic, with gas cylinders also discovered in several rooms including the kitchen and living room. A candle was lit in the attic, which is believed to have ignited the petrol vapors, leading to the explosion that scattered glass and debris across the road. Firefighters quickly contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to neighboring properties.

Prosecutors said Davies acted recklessly, showing disregard for the possible endangerment of lives. During court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, it emerged that Davies’s motive stemmed from a mistaken belief that he had been excluded from an inheritance. His brother, Craig Davies, submitted a victim personal statement explaining that their late parents had left equal shares of the home to both sons in wills made before their deaths in 2024. However, Darren Davies became convinced that a secret will had been created shortly before their father’s death, granting ownership solely to Craig—a claim the court heard was entirely unfounded.

A witness driving past at the time of the explosion saw Davies walking away from the property unharmed. When confronted, Davies reportedly said, “My family want the house, if I can’t have it no one can.”

Following his arrest at the scene and medical treatment, Davies was charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. Detective Constable Dave Pinnington of Lancaster CID commented on the incident, condemning Davies’s actions as reckless and highlighting the risk posed to the surrounding community.

The Crown Prosecution Service acknowledged the ongoing emotional impact on Davies’s family, noting that many irreplaceable belongings and memories were lost in the fire. While expressing sympathy for the victims, prosecutors emphasized that the sentence aims to deliver a measure of justice.