Man blamed God for fire in flats during ‘psychotic reaction’

Kirkcaldy man admits starting blaze in council property after taking psychoactive substances

A Kirkcaldy man who set fire to a pile of petrol-soaked clothes told police officers he felt like it was “God telling him to do it”.

Lawrence Traynor appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court where he admitted wilfully starting the blaze at his home in Harris Drive on April 24.

The 24-year-old was found pacing in the hallway of the block of flats by neighbours as the fire alarm sounded, before thick black smoke filled the walkway.

After evacuating, Traynor approached a member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and told him he had deliberately started the fire.

He was taken to the Victoria Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and over concerns about his mental health but was deemed fit to be interviewed.

Depute fiscal Sarah Lumsden told the court Traynor had moved into the flat just days before he started the fire.

She said: “He was interviewed by the police and stated that he was angry with himself, that he just wanted somebody to listen to him and that the council wasn’t going to be happy with him.

“He felt like it was God telling him to do it and that he did intend to start the fire and that he was sorry and wouldn’t behave like that again.”

She added the Fife Council-owned flat was damaged in the blaze but the cost of repairs was not known.

Miss Lumsden also told how fire investigators found four “fire seats” which showed evidence of a blaze starting within the flat but the bedroom was the main source of the fire.

Defence solicitor David Bell told the court Traynor’s use of psychoactive substances had “triggered a psychotic reaction” which may have contributed to his client’s actions.

He said that concerns had been raised about Traynor’s mental health and he had spent time at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital before being released back into custody in September.

He noted there had been a “marked improvement” in his mental health since the end of the treatment order and his client was now fit to plead guilty.

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC deferred sentence for background reports and asked for details about the specific number of people who were in danger as a result of Traynor’s actions.

“He felt like it was God telling him to do it and that he did intend to start the fire