article_snippet: Mr Sykes took the keys upstairs before lighting more fires on the first floor, including in the children's bedrooms.
article_snippet: A minute later, neighbours spotted the blaze and the fire service were called with the downstairs well ablaze.
article_snippet: Specialist fire investigator Michael Mason said the carpet and furniture downstairs were well alight when firefighters arrived. '
article_snippet: Petrol was used as an accelerant to start a fire with 16 pools of fuel on the ground floor and first floor.
article_snippet: A patio door had been left partly open downstairs to fan the flames.
article_snippet: Specialist fire investigator Michael Mason said: 'At some point during the fire the loft hatch was closed and then opened during the fire which allowed a plume of smoke with gases to enter the loft.