Footage and images of the damage wrought by a suspected double arson attack in High Wycombe have been released.

Five people had to be rescued from the flaming flats in West Wycombe Road last week. 

The first fire was started shortly after 10.30pm on Thursday, February 19, before a second blaze was reported by members of the public at about 2.15am on Friday.

Bucks Free Press:

Richard Thomas, 29, of Buckingham Close, High Wycombe, was charged with “two counts of arson with intent/ reckless as to whether life was endangered” last Friday and is due to appear at Aylesbury Crown Court today.

Tim Mogford, 69, and one other person who was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation and minor burns had to be taken to hospital. 

The pensioner spoke of the dramatic moment he was rescued from the blaze.

Tenants will not be allowed to stay in the property for about five months while the landlord attempts to reconstruct the “gutted” building.

Andrew Free said: “The middle of the house has completely gone and it is going to take a big effort to get it all back again.

“Some internal walls are going to have to come down and we need to look at the ceilings, I would think it will be about five months before it is all back to the way it was.

“Most of them have got some sort of accommodation now and I believe they have all been catered for.

“Luckily there were just minor injuries but I think looking back on it, everyone is lucky that they were out before there was a death.

“The insurance company said it is pretty major and it looks really bad at the moment but we have just got to try and get on with it as soon as we can.”

Over the course of the evening five fire engines were sent to help tackle the blaze while the crews saved the lives of the people inside.

Watch commander Alex Strand has been highlighted for praise for reinstating a fire alarm after the first blaze.

Mick Martin, group manager, said: “This decision almost certainly saved lives. The fact that the fire alarm system was reinstated meant that it alerted the residents to the second fire, enabling them to vacate the premises and summon the fire and rescue service.”

A police investigation began almost immediately after the second fire, with a dog unit deployed into the property in an attempt to find out more information about the suspected arsonist.

Bucks Free Press:

Det Sgt Mike Anderson of Force CID, leading the investigation, said: “We are treating both fires as suspected arson and we believe they are linked.

“We would urge anyone who has any information about how these fires began to contact us as a matter of urgency. We believe this to be an isolated incident and unrelated to the wider community”.

Anyone with information should call 101, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org