Iraqi asylum seeker set hearth to 2 taxpayer-funded migrant motels the place he was staying, courtroom hears
An Iraqi sheep farmer risked the lives of fellow asylum seekers by setting fire to two taxpayer-funded hotels where he was being housed, including the controversial Bell Hotel in Epping, a court has heard.
Rawand Abdulrahman, 37, admitted to having started two fires, firstly at the Phoenix Hotel, five miles from Epping in North Weald, and then one at The Bell eight days later.
But he denies that he deliberately or recklessly endangered the lives of other occupants and the emergency services.
Prosecuting, George Penny, told Chelmsford Crown Court: ‘At the time of the fires, the Phoenix and Bell hotels were used exclusively to house refugees and asylum seekers.
After entering the UK, he claimed to be a sheep farmer from Iraq, but the authorities have not been able to verify this, the court heard.
Thirty-seven-year-old Rawand Abdulrahman (pictured) has admitted to igniting two separate blazes: the first at the Phoenix Hotel in North Weald, followed by a second fire at The Bell just eight days later
An investigation by the Essex Fire Service into the Phoenix Hotel blaze concluded that the fire was likely started on purpose, according to a report released on September 17 of last year
Mr Penny added: ‘Rawand Abdulrahman was housed at the Phoenix and Bell hotels as he was and is seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.’
The court heard that on March 28, 2025, Mr Abdulrahman set fire to the beds in Room 9 of the Phoenix hotel, where he was initially housed.
The beds were positioned in an ‘L’ shape at the time they were set on fire. The fire spread and entirely destroyed the left wing of the hotel.
There was no loss of life or serious injury after staff acted quickly to activate the fire alarm.
He was moved to another hotel before being transferred to the Bell.
On April 5 of last year, Mr Abdulrahman set fire to both beds in Room 65 of the Bell, where he was staying, at the head and feet of each bed. His roommate was away at the time.
The fire caused significant damage to the room and some damage to the corridor, but due to a different construction of the Phoenix, it did not spread as far and was extinguished before it caused any wider damage.
He was arrested the same day at the scene of the Bell Hotel fire. He was cautioned upon his arrest and made no reply
The Phoenix Hotel fire was investigated by Essex Fire Service investigators, who produced a report dated September 17 last year.
They concluded that the most probable cause of the fire was deliberate ignition, with a minimum area of origin including the left-hand mattress in room 9.
They also concluded that there was a risk of several fatalities, with the rapid development of the fire increasing the risk to occupants and staff, and a risk to responders attempting to save lives.
While admitting to the fires, he has denied the more serious charges of arson with intent to endanger life or acting with reckless disregard for the safety of others
The fire spread and entirely destroyed the left wing of the Phoenix hotel (Pictured: Phoenix hotel)
Both the Phoenix and Bell hotels were being used as dedicated accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers when the fires occurred
The court heard that the cause of the fire at the Bell was also investigated, with a report finished a day earlier.
The conclusion was that the most probable cause of the fire was deliberate ignition, through the introduction of a naked flame to material on the bed, or the mattresses themselves, with a risk of fatalities.
Quick actions of staff had also prevented this, the court heard.
Ahead of today’s trial, Mr Abdulrahman admitted two counts that he started the fires at both hotels and that he intended to or was reckless to the fact that the property would be damaged or destroyed.
However, he denies more serious charges that the arsons were carried out with the intention to or that they were reckless to endanger lives.
The court was told that he accepts that he started the fires at both hotels.
However, he insists that he did not intend to endanger life by starting the fires, nor was he reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Mr Penny said it was the crown’s case that after seeing the outcome of the Phoenix fire, it was not possible for him to be unaware that when starting the second fire, it would put lives at risk.
