The victims of a terrifying double arson attack in High Wycombe are aiming to rebuild their lives after the man behind the blaze was jailed.

Richard Thomas, 29, – believed to be the son of one of the occupants – has been jailed for more than nine years after he admitted setting fire to the property in West Wycombe Road twice in just three hours, in February.

The landlord is now doing what he can to repair the “gutted” building and admits it is lucky no-one died in the blaze, with firefighters praised for ensuring the fire alarm was properly repaired after extinguishing the first blaze.

Andrew Free said: “He started the first fire at about 11pm. They put it out without knowing exactly what it was that started it and then one of the guys got taken to hospital, he was really frail.

“Luckily he was in hospital because I don’t think he would have made it the second time. By reconnecting the fire alarm I’m sure it saved lives.”

He added: “It has had an impact on my business, but more importantly all of the people are now homeless, some didn’t have anywhere to go.

“I’m hoping to get it all fixed as soon as possible, but it will probably be at least another four months – the building is completely gutted.”

In total, two tenants had to be rushed to Stoke Mandeville Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation and minor burns.

At the time, one of the victims revealed he was trapped in his bedroom and was only saved when firefighters carried him out of the building along with four other people aged between 41 and 62.

Following the first blaze, watch commander Alex Stand refused to leave the site without the fire alarm being reconnected, and according to investigators his actions “saved lives”.

Station Commander Andrew Walker said: “The length of sentence in this case demonstrates the dim view the courts take of arsonists, and particularly those whose actions could result in loss of life.”

Earlier this week, police said they hoped Thomas’ sentence would serve as justice to the victims.