A Dundee man who started a blaze causing £90,000 of damage to his top-floor flat had to be rescued from the roof by firefighters, a court has heard.
David Simpson clung to a chimney stack outside the Hilltown property after setting fire to a barricade made out of furniture and household rubbish.
The court heard that more than 20 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze and rescuing Simpson on August 20 last year.
Simpson, 38, of Transform, Soapwork Lane, admitted wilfully setting fire to furniture, household items and rubbish placed immediately behind the main door of the flat by means of pouring white spirit or similar accelerant over the property and igniting it.
He admitted that the fire took effect and damaged the flat, furniture, household items, rubbish and other contents.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Simpson was seen standing on the roof of the property holding on to the chimney and was brought down by firefighters.
Depute fiscal Susan Ruta said: “Fire investigators were able to confirm that in their opinion the fire had been started deliberately.”
She said that lighters and a piece of carpet with an accelerant smell were taken from the flat.
Firefighters attended at the scene and flats were evacuated.
The accused was brought down by the fire brigade and spoken to by police.
Ms Ruta said: “Simpson stated he thought someone was coming round to beat him up, so he started to throw things down the stairs to block the door and went to sleep. He said the next thing he knew, the flat was on fire.”
Scenes of crime officers and fire officers went to the property to start an investigation the next day.
Simpson’s lawyer Anne Johnston told the court he had suffered from a long-standing alcohol problem.
Deferring sentence, Sheriff George Way said: “His own life was at stake, let alone anyone else’s. I think we have a serious risk to all concerned here.”
Simpson was remanded in custody and his sentence was deferred to August 8 for reports.