Members of the public tackled Whitburn garage fire after arsonist struck
An arsonist set fire to a hay bale on a garage forecourt.
Joseph Dowson used a lighter to ignite the semi-permanent structure outside the Coast Road Garage, at Whitburn, in September 2024.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the blaze did not spread to the garage building although the owner said in an impact statement: “I could have lost my full business if the fire had progressed further.”
Dowson was arrested after being identified through CCTV.
Prosecutor Claire Anderson said the garage was not a petrol station but carried out services such as MOTs.
Miss Anderson added: “He walked past the garage in Whitburn and set fire to a hay bale on the forecourt.”
The court heard the blaze took hold "quite fast” although members of the public were able to extinguish the flames before they spread.
Dowson, 23, of Lime Avenue, Durham, admitted causing criminal damage and two charges of failing to attend earlier court appearances.
Jason Smith, defending, said Dowson has found being remanded in custody since being arrested on a warrant “utterly terrifying” and is a vulnerable adult.
Mr Smith said the arson happened with “no planning, consideration or assessment of the potential risk” and it was “very, very clearly reckless”.
Judge Edward Bindloss adjourned sentence until next month and ordered the preparation of a psychiatric report.
The judge said it was a building containing “petrol, cars and flammable material”.
Judge Bindloss said: “Arson is a case in which one always has to proceed with caution, given the high risk of death, injury and very significant damage.”
Dowson was remanded in custody and will be back in court on August 18.