A drug-addled crook set a 1,000 litre oil drum alight causing a fire that ravaged a famous Wirral butchers.
Christopher Kelly was behind a "mindless" blaze which left Edge and Son Butchers with a £65,000 bill. The 36-year-old also risked the lives of people living above the historic shop, which has served customers since 1844.
Liverpool Crown Court heard they were potentially saved by two passing police officers, who smelled smoke in the air and went to investigate. Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, said the officers were driving in New Ferry, at around 11.25pm, on October 23, 2019.
