A couple from Nantwich have been found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life after starting a fire in their Kingsbourne apartment at Christmas last year.
Daniel and Charlotte Wollaston were also found guilty of perverting the course of justice after an eight-day trial at Chester Crown Court.
Cheshire Police confirmed Charlotte, 36, is currently on bail and Daniel, 32, has been remanded in custody until they are both sentenced at Chester Crown Court at a later date.
The couple, of Laurel Place, Nantwich, were arrested on Saturday December 14 on the day of the blaze which broke out at around 8.45am.
The couple’s young daughter was also in the apartment at the time of the fire, which caused extensive damage.
Soon after the blaze, a Gofundme Page was set up by neighbours, and it has raised more than £500.
The page, which is currently inactive, says the couple “left behind their four-year-old little girl with absolutely nothing”.
It aimed to raise money to buy clothes and Christmas presents, with the daughter staying at her grandparents
“All money raised will go directly to her so she is able to support the little girl through this difficult time,” states the page.
The fire raged through the top floor apartment and it forced many residents to be evacuated and they were led to safety to the nearby Nantwich Town football ground.
Some were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service sent several appliances including one from Middlewich, two fire from Crewe, two fire engines from Chester and the aerial ladder platform from Lymm.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to contain the blaze to one flat, tackling it with hose reel jets from both inside and outside the building.
The aerial ladder platform was used to remove fire-damaged material from the outside of the building.
Disgusting people! You can’t call them human beings. Their daughter is better off without them if this is the way they think. Absolute idiots and the whole block could have gone up!
They need sending back to the gene pool and re booting. Just how awful do you have to be to stay in a toxic relationship without seeking help. Old enough to have a kid eh? but not mature enough to keep the child from harm or indeed any other kids living in that block of selfish destruction
There’s no smoke without fire it would seem!
Utterly horrendous parents, I hope the child will find better parents that is a heinous crime for the child to understand