VICTIMS of an arson attack described their 'traumatic' experiences after a man intentionally set fire to a block of flats in Dorchester with the intention of killing people.

Jesse Everett, 27, and from Dorchester, intentionally set fire to Signal House, flats at Bitter End in Dorchester, forcing residents to be evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night.

Emergency services were called shortly after 4am on June 29 last year. Residents woke up to the sound of the fire alarm blaring and the smell of thick black smoke. They were evacuated in the terrifying ordeal, and some of those who lived on the second floor had to move out for six weeks while the damage caused by the fire was repaired.

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Four firefighters entered the burning building to extinguish the blaze, which was confined to a communal area on the second floor. Firefighters rescued two people by ladder from a second floor balcony, while two others were led to safety from another flat on the same floor. All occupants were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Cotter, told Bournemouth Crown Court that in an interview Everett had said he intended to kill people and cause harm by starting the fire.

Mr Cotter read out personal victim statements from residents living on the second floor of Signal House whose lives were most at risk.

One resident, Danielle Barlow, said that the night before the incident she went to bed a happy, bubbly person but since the attack her life had been turned upside down and called the event a "traumatic experience".

She said: "I have always felt safe in my home and the person who committed this crime has taken that away from me.”

Another resident, David Norman, said that his flat had always been a happy home which he had shared with is partner and four-year-old daughter.

He said he often finds himself thinking of the severity of the attack and said it was something that often took over his thoughts.

Another resident, Miss Grove, said when the attack happened she walked out of her flat into a "thick, black acrid smoke".

She said: "I feel shocked, angry and upset. I feel unsafe in my own home."

She said she has since found it hard to trust people and was having difficulty sleeping and was having nightmares following the incident.

Resident, Ashley Mears, said that he had been affected deeply by the attack and was left feeling constantly on edge.

He said: "Nobody deserves to go through this."

Everett is staying at Thornford Park Hospital in Berkshire after being given an interim hospital order.

Dr Harinder Bains, a consultant psychiatrist responsible for Everett's care, said that Everett had moderate to severe autism.

He said Everett's autism was one of the main contributing factors to his behaviour. He said that Everett in particular can feel persecuted and struggles with having a sense of injustice - he said at the time Everett's intention was to reduce the injustice and corruption in the world by killing people.

The case was adjourned for sentencing by the judge, Recorder Michael Bowes QC until July 30 and Everett's interim hospital order was extended.

Signal House is owned by Magna Housing and contains shared ownership flats over four floors. It was built in 2012 alongside affordable housing accommodation Bridge House.

Dorset Police appealed for anyone with any information to come forward following the incident and eventually arrested Everett. He pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 23 to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.