An arsonist torched his Wakefield flat in a revenge attack which led to fire crews rescuing seven people – one with serious burn injuries.

Sulaiman Hassen had been served with an eviction notice from the first floor flat he lived in on George Street in Wakefield city centre, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Hassen, 35, did a "significant degree of planning" and had taken cocaine before starting the fire.

He interfered with a smoke detector and wedged doors open so it would spread to other flats at the accommodation where there were ten tenants.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at 5am on February 11 and rescued one unconscious man who was carried out after being found in a smoke-filled hallway.

Prosecutor, Brian Russell said the man spent 17 days in hospital after suffering smoke inhalation and burns to his hands, face and neck.

Mr Russell said the victim suffered skin deformities and has ongoing physical and psychological problems including pain and nightmares.

The court heard the blaze cause damage estimated at £30,000.

A jury cleared Hassen of arson with intent to endanger life but convicted him of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered after a trial in August.

Mohamed Rafiq, mitigating, said Hassen is from Darfur in Sudan and had come to the UK as an asylum seeker.

Mr Rafiq said: "In the pre-sentence report there is reference to the fact that the defendant had taken some cocaine. That probably provides the explanation as to what happened thereafter."

Mr Rafiq added: "He has expressed remorse. He is very sorry and regrets what happened."

Jailing Hassen – of no fixed abode – for eight years, Judge Peter Kelson KC said: "I pay tribute to the courage of the firefighters...but for their reaction there would have been more tragedy in this case.

"You committed this offence whilst under the influence of drugs. You have admitted taking cocaine. This was a revenge attack.

"You had been served with a notice of eviction and you wanted revenge for that."

"There was a significant degree of planning. You had interfered with a smoke detector and wedged the doors open so the fire and smoke would spread more rapidly."