A fire at Eccleston House in Bristol, attributed to arson, resulted in significant damage and prompted a community outpouring of support for evacuated residents.
A serious fire incident occurred at Eccleston House in Bristol during the early hours of 20 October 2022, which has since been attributed to arson. Emergency services responded to calls reporting flames visible on the exterior of the building, prompting a rapid evacuation of its residents. The blaze quickly escalated, generating significant flames from the upper levels of the structure. Thankfully, while several individuals exhibited symptoms of smoke inhalation, there were no serious injuries reported. However, one person required rescue by the fire services.
The investigation conducted by Avon Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire had been deliberately set. It identified 37-year-old Israel Baber as the individual responsible, who was subsequently arrested. Baber denied his involvement in the incident, but following a jury trial, he was found guilty of arson endangering life. The court heard that he had ignited a sofa left in a stairwell by another resident who had been struggling to move it into their flat.
CCTV footage and doorbell camera recordings placed Baber at the scene shortly after the fire was ignited, contradicting his claim that he was inside his apartment at the time. A reconstruction of his movements and the presentation of similar physical characteristics between Baber and a man captured on surveillance were essential in confirming his involvement. The damages incurred from the fire have been estimated at over £450,000.
Baber has been remanded in custody while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for 24 March at Bristol Crown Court. Senior Investigating Officer DCI Laura Miller commented on the gravity of Baber’s actions, noting the potential for a much worse outcome. “This should not downplay the seriousness of what Baber did,” she stated, while recognising the design of the building allowed residents to safely exit via an alternative staircase.
In the aftermath, the community response has been highlighted as notably positive, with local establishments such as Tawfiq Masjid and Centre as well as St Patrick’s Catholic Church providing temporary shelter for evacuated residents, facilitated by support from Bristol City Council. DC Michael Tarling, the officer managing the case, expressed gratitude for the community’s engagement during the ongoing investigation, noting that their support played a key role in securing the conviction against Baber.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/bristol/news/eccleston-house-fire-arrest/ – This article confirms that a fire occurred at Eccleston House in Bristol on October 20, 2022, and that Israel Baber was charged with arson. It also mentions that six people were injured in the blaze.
- https://www.courts.michigan.gov/492eca/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/evidence/evidbb.pdf – Although not directly related to the Eccleston House fire, this document provides general information on evidence handling and legal proceedings, which can be relevant to understanding how evidence might be used in arson cases.
- https://www.bristolworld.com/news/man-charged-with-arson-after-2022-fire-at-bristol-block-of-flats-4652523 – This article reports on Israel Baber being charged with arson following the 2022 fire at Eccleston House in Bristol, corroborating the details of the incident and legal action taken.
- https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2025/03/man-found-guilty-of-arson-at-eccleston-house/ – This news update confirms that Israel Baber was found guilty of arson at Eccleston House, highlighting the outcome of the trial and the serious nature of his actions.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article, but it does not provide additional external corroboration beyond the text itself.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
2
Notes:
The incident occurred in October 2022, making the narrative significantly outdated. There is no indication of recent updates or developments related to this event.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes from Senior Investigating Officer DCI Laura Miller and Officer DC Michael Tarling are included, but their original sources or dates could not be verified online. However, they appear to be specific to this incident.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication. However, the reliability can vary depending on the specific topic and reporting style.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the arson incident, including the investigation and conviction, are plausible and consistent with typical legal and emergency response procedures.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative is outdated and lacks recent updates, the source is generally reliable, and the claims are plausible. However, the lack of verification for quotes and the age of the incident reduce confidence in the overall assessment.
