A man who set fire to a Dover house before the blaze spread to neighbouring homes has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

David Medvedev, 49, was made the subject of the hospital order by Judge Simon James at Canterbury Crown Court after admitting arson.

He was arrested on suspicion of arson the day after the fire broke out in Barton Road in October last year in which three people were taken to hospital.

The fire forced occupants of the houses to flee their homes, losing most and - in some cases all - their possessions.

Medvedev was taken to hospital and treated for the burns he suffered in the blaze
Four people living in the house were able to leave the building after the smoke alarm went off at about 8.50am on Sunday, October 27.

Video footage emerged of flames and smoke billowing from the property - as occupants desperately tried to gather belongings.

Five fire engines, a command unit and an aerial ladder platform tackled the blaze and by 11am the roof of the two-storey house where the fire started had collapsed.

Video: Dramatic footage of the large Dover house blaze

About 40 firefighters were called to the blaze at its peak.