Barrie Avenue flat fires

A young woman has been jailed for 26 months for starting two fires in her Dumfries flat in a matter of weeks - both of which led to rescue operations.

Sarah Mitchell, 19, caused damage estimated at £18,000 to the property in the town's Barrie Avenue. She admitted setting fire to clothing behind a door in June, to the danger of occupants in neighbouring flats. She also pled guilty to acting with another woman in September and wilfully setting fire to clothing in the flat.

At Dumfries Sheriff Court, Mitchell was also made the subject of a supervised release order for 12 months.

In the first incident she had to be given oxygen through a window before being taken unconscious to Dumfries Infirmary.

On the second occasion she had to be rescued by fire crews after a police officer was unable to enter because of the blaze and she was taken to the intensive care unit at the hospital.