Hundreds of hotel guests evacuated after arson attack at famous Grade I listed building
manchestereveningnews.co.ukHundreds of hotel guests had to be evacuated following an arson attack at one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings. A total of 280 guests had to leave the Midland Hotel in the city centre after a fire was deliberately started by 23-year-old James Carter, who was sleeping rough at the time.
The fire was contained after Carter set light to a decorative display at a side entrance to the hotel. Manchester Crown Court heard how it came weeks after Carter started a blaze at another city centre landmark, the Royal Exchange.
Prosecuting, Hayley Bennett told how Carter arrived at the Grade II listed Royal Exchange at about 4.25am on December 21, 2023.
A decorative ‘narnia arch’ had been installed at the building. He was seen to use a lighter to set the arch on fire in several places.
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