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Man jailed for starting fire at concert venue

News imageBBC A police officer standing beside a police car outside the red bricked Bournemouth International Centre.BBC
The fire affected the external roof fascia of the venue, with some smoke entering the building through a window

A man has been jailed for intentionally starting a fire at a seaside concert and conference venue.

Smoke was seen billowing from the roof of the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on Exeter Road on 4 August, with fire crews fighting the enveloping blaze on the outside roof fascia.

Shane Wilson, 38, from Bournemouth, pleaded guilty in December to a charge of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

He was jailed earlier at Bournemouth Crown Court for two years and two months.

A video from Picnic Park Deli showed smoke rising from the BIC

The venue was closed at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

The BIC opened in 1984 and is the town's main entertainment complex, regularly hosting large-scale events including concerts and the main political party conferences.

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