Teens who started major fire to be sentenced

Two men who set fire to a disused building causing a mass evacuation and forcing hundreds of people from their homes will be sentenced later this year after entering guilty pleas.

The blaze at the former printworks on Catherine Street, Crewe, during the summer disorder on 9 August was declared a major incident by firefighters.

James Evans, 19 and Justin Keeling, formerly Evans, 18, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered during a trial at Chester Crown Court.

The pair were remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on 14 April.

A third man, Peter Lord, 20, from Crewe, was found not guilty of the same charge on Monday after a trial.

At an earlier hearing, Keeling also admitted perverting the course of justice.

Evans, of Welles Street, Sandbach, and Keeling, of Catherine Street in Crewe, went into the derelict industrial premises on 9 August and set fire to a large pile of cardboard, Cheshire Police said.

Firefighters fought to put out the blaze and were at the scene for several days with nearby residents forced to live elsewhere in leisure centres or with family and friends.

More than 350 people were affected and some houses were also damaged by the fire.

Det Sgt Ryan Ogden said some families have still not be able to return home.

"Lives and family homes were put at risk that day," he added.

Despite being one of the two men who caused the fire, the force said Keeling also spoke to the BBC in an interview after the blaze, when he said he had been left "devastated" and "shocked" by what had happened.

Keeling told police he saw the fire when he was walking back to Catherine Street with Evans and claimed he had seen some youths near the building, climbing over a gate.

The 18-year-old then admitted to a friend that he was inside the building with others and police were then told of this, with video footage on his phone showing a large amount of cardboard being set alight.

He later admitted perverting the course of justice for lying to police about the fake sighting of the youths, the force said.

Det Con Mike Edwards said the incident "ripped residents out of the comfort of their own homes" and caused a "substantial strain" on police.

"The fire also left officers with considerable health issues and caused them to have time off work," he said.

Read more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.