SEVEN people fled a block of flats in a blaze set by an arsonist that put lives at risk, a court heard.

Kieran Brockway, 23, had written a note on his wall in chalk reminding himself to set fire to his home in the block at Ellwood Avenue in Thornhill.

Southampton Crown Court heard he acted on his reminder - having written "set fire" - forcing an evacuation with three children suffering smoke inhalation.

A judge has now ordered the defendant with paranoid schizophrenia to be detained in hospital indefinitely for treatment.

Some £15,000 worth of damage was caused to Brockway's ground floor flat with fire crews having to enter at the time to check nobody was inside at 11am on June 28 last year.

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The court heard how Brockway piled furniture and bedding up in his home before setting it alight. 

He then phoned emergency services to report the fire. 

Prosecutor Neil King told the court how a neighbour had seen Brockway packing possessions prior to the incident and that his neighbours had been "avoiding him" at the time. 

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He added that the danger had "largely been caused by people trying to leave their flats" with a report later finding there was a "moderate to high risk to life". 

The property is owned by Southampton City Council.

Brockway was later arrested on July 22 and made full admissions, saying he "hadn't been able to cope". 

He was later found to be unfit to enter a plea to arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Attending the court hearing via video link from hospital, he has since been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and mixed personality disorder. 

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Sentencing, Judge Brian Forster QC said Brockway had "decided to start a fire" and "even wrote a reminder for himself to do that". 

He added there was "significant damage", as well as "human damage in that people had to leave the building. 

"It is clear from all of the information that the defendant is unfortunately troubled by his illness," the judge said. 

A hospital order was made restricting Brockway to hospital with Judge Forster noting this was necessary for the defendant's own health as well as the safety and protection of others.

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