A man was jailed for six years after setting fire to a flat in Hanger Lane in a jealous rage, putting the lives of three pensioners and a small child at risk.

Adrian Harrison, 37, of Bushey Road, Hayes, admitted arson and being reckless as to whether life was endangered following the incident on July 17.

A 92 year-old woman, two pensioners and their four-year-old grandson had to be rescued by firemen in the early hours of the morning when Harrison, the boyfriend of one of their neighbours, started the blaze in Hanger Lane, Ealing.

They all spent 24 hours in hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire was so ferocious that it destroyed the home of Patricia Johnson - Harrison's former girlfriend - including the ceiling and floor of the pensioners' flat above hers.

Harrison was caught on a nearby petrol-station CCTV filling a petrol can and walking towards the house, said counsel.

Cynthia Cruikshank, prosecuting, told Isleworth Crown Court the fire started at around 4.30am when the neighbours were asleep, causing more than £65,000 worth of damage to the Shepherd's Bush Housing Association property.

She said: "Unhappily this incident arose out of the defendant being unable to come to terms with his former partner, Ms Johnson, resurrecting a relationship with her former boyfriend."

"On July 16 she decided to terminate the relationship and went back to her former partner so was not in the flat she shared with two of her daughters that night.

"During that evening she received a number of intimidating and abusive text messages from the defendant, saying he was at the flat waiting for her.

"Then at about 4.20am he left and was seen at the Shell petrol station on CCTV filling a small petrol can and walking back to the flat. Shortly after that, there was a call to the fire brigade."

Ms Cruikshank praised the efforts of resident Iain Thompson, who helped his elderly neighbour from her flat and escorted her to safety.

She said: "Fortunately, everyone was evacuated from the flats. Ms Johnson was elsewhere but sadly the family pet, a Staffordshire terrier, was found dead in the girl's bedroom."

Roderick Jones, defending, said the damage was "mostly emotional to family and physical to the property but we are blessed with the fact there have been no physical injuries save the loss of the family pet. "

The court heard that the Harrison's relationship had been volatile and he had been taking alcohol and crack-cocaine.

Passing sentence, Judge Hezlett Colgan said: "What you did on that day was to set fire to the interior of your former lover's flat. It was your intention to cause her hurt and distress and in that you succeeded.

"You caused fear and distress to the other occupants, including a 92 year-old woman. Not only that, they were taken to hospital suffering from smoke-inhalation, and kept there for 24 hours.

"This has had a devastating effect on the victim, her daughter and the other tenants."