Teenage firebug who torched four cars had lucky escape when flames spread to his shoes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A teenage firebug who torched four cars had a lucky escape when flames spread to his shoes.Daniel Hotchkiss was seen on CCTV running away from two blazing vehicles.Bizarrely, after starting another fire he'd helped the car owner try to put out the flames.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Hotchkiss, 18, of Craigneuk Avenue in Airdrie, appeared at the town's sheriff court this week.He admitted setting fire to vehicles in Lismore Place and Lochalsh Place, both in Petersburn, and robbing an attendant at knifepoint at the BP garage in Carlisle Road, Airdrie.The court heard that the robbery and the first two fires happened within an hour on July 23 last year.Hotchkiss went into the petrol station at 2am, looking to buy alcohol.An attendant told him he couldn't sell drink at that time.The teenager then took a kitchen knife from his pocket, pointed it at the man and said, "give me the £17 bottle".Lauren Cole, prosecuting, told the court: "The victim was frightened and ran off in an attempt to close a door on the accused."Hotchkiss then jumped over the counter and grabbed a bottle of vodka before running out of the premises."A short time later Hotchkiss knocked on a house window in Lismore Place and told the occupants their car was on fire.He then used a bucket of water to try to put out the flames, but