A MAN accused of arson has said he didn’t start the fire at a flat in Ammanford last summer.

Robert Morris, 34, of Gwaun Henllan in Ammanford, appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The offence related to a fire at a flat on Station Road in the town between August 16 and 18 last year.

It is alleged that Morris set fire to a mattress in the flat.

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The defendant pleaded not guilty when appearing in the dock on October 30.

“He didn’t start the fire,” defence barrister Ieuan Rees said. “He doesn’t know who did.”

Mr Rees told the court that the defendant was at the flat on that date, and had fallen asleep inside. He said Morris woke up and smelt smoke.

Morris said he “tried to drag” the on-fire bed out of the flat, but “the fire got too much for him” and he left the building, Mr Rees told the court.

Judge Catherine Richards granted Morris bail, and he will return to court on February 8 for his trial.