Drunk man started fire which trapped family in Glasgow flat

Kevin Murphy, 37, sparked the blaze from the inside stairs of the building in Glasgow's Drumchapel on May 17, 2022.

Murphy - who has little recollection of the incident - believes he attempted to light an e-cigarette while under the influence.

A total of 13 floors - which contain four flats on each - were cleared out while firefighters tackled the inferno.

However, a family of five - which included a pregnant mum - were told to remain in their home near an open window as they were unable to escape.

Murphy pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpably and recklessly starting the fire.

The court heard Murphy had been at a friend's house while drunk.

He left to go to a nearby shop and returned to the building but forgot where his friend stayed.

Witnesses heard Murphy shout "Ricky" in an attempt to find the flat.

CCTV later reviewed showed Murphy walking to the 13th and highest floor of the building.

The father of the family of five who lived on the floor smelled smoke coming from the door.

Prosecutor Sean Docherty said: "He opened the door and was overwhelmed by smoke and saw the fire, then retreated to his flat."

The witness contacted the fire service who then ordered the family to remain at the property near an open window.

Mr Docherty added: "The children were scared and crying.

"All the flats were emptied except the flat of the family."

Firefighters later found Murphy lying on the ground on the 13th floor and he was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

He was arrested by police and stated to officers when quizzed that he "may have been smoking".

Susan Gibson, defending, told the court: "He said he thought he might have had tried to light an e-cigarette thinking it was a real cigarette.

"There was no real cause or accelerant to the fire being started."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by sheriff Gerard Bonnar, who granted Murphy, of the city's Knightswood, bail meantime.