42-year-old Nicholas Ronan, from Sandfields in Port Talbot, confessed to having started the fire at his flat on Parry Road at the scene on 9 December 2024. He later attacked police officers attending the scene.
A sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court heard how Ronan threw a dumbbell through the glass of a second-floor window.
A resident was seen running out of the block of flats shouting “He’s lit a fire!”, before a passerby spotted Ronan through the broken window watching TV, drinking cider and snorting what appeared to be cocaine.
Ronan then refused to leave the burning flat saying “the ghosts are going to get me”.
Once outside the building, Ronan then threatened a firefighter and a police officer with a dumbbell, before admitting setting the fire with his curtains as he was cold.
Damage to the Tai Tarian flat caused by Ronan was estimated at £60,000.
After a psychiatric report deemed Ronan fit for court, he was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
Detective Sergeant Grant Phillips from South Wales Police said: “Nicholas Ronan’s reckless actions could have resulted in a fire spreading to neighbouring properties and other people being injured or worse. He clearly posed a significant risk to the public.
“His neighbours, some of whom live with their children, were rightfully highly concerned about their safety whilst living near to Ronan.
“Prison is the best place for him.”
