A convicted killer who started a blaze at flats above a busy pub has been jailed for five years.

Alcoholic Russell Hartley, 47, had torched the staircase area at the block of four flats above the Calder pub in Blackburn Road, Accrington, last October.

Three residents and a dog had to flee, although their only escape was down the burning stairs, behind the pub at the three-floor terrace property.

They battled through thick black smoke and told police it was the most frightening experience of their lives and they felt lucky to be alive, Burnley crown court heard.

Partially disabled Andrew Shackleton had to be helped to safety by neighbour Colin Sagar and his stepson.

Hartley, who would turn up at Mr Shackleton’s flat making a nuisance of himself and wanting somewhere to stay and drink, had earlier been told to go away by him “in no uncertain terms” over the intercom.

The defendant was caught on CCTV going to a nearby bin and taking out some inflammable material, which he left alight in the hallway of the staircase. He then disappeared without warning anyone as the flames took hold.

The hearing was told the residents and Mr Shackleton’s dog got out unhurt, but ended up losing their homes.

The pub, which had been busy with Friday lunchtime trade, was also smoke damaged and had to be shut over the weekend losing about £17,000 in takings.

Hartley was locked up for seven years in December 1996 for manslaughter, after he beat a man a woman claimed had molested her, repeatedly with a rolling pin.

The defendant, an alcoholic for more than 20 years,  suffers from cancer.

The defendant, of Wellington Street, Accrington, had admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Kathryn Johnson, prosecuting, said Hartley knocked on Mr Shackleton’s door at 2pm.

Mr Shackleton was aware he was drunk and told him to go away in abusive terms.

Mr Shackleton returned to his chair, and began to fall asleep.

A short time later he was woken by his dog barking and could see smoke coming under the door.

He left the flat and could see flames coming from the bottom of the stairs.

Mr Sagar had also been alerted by smoke and he and his stepson helped Mr Shackleton through the smoke out of the flats.

Alan Wolstenholme, for Hartley, said at the time he would wake up still drunk, start drinking again and would have about four litres of cider a day.

The barrister continued: “That led him to be a danger to members of the public and himself.”

Sentencing, Judge Simon Newell, said if the residents had not been alerted to what was going on, there was every probability  the fire would have taken hold to an even greater extent and would have caused serious danger not only to them, but also to people drinking in the pub below.