Two teenagers have admitted starting a huge fire at a former printworks during last summer’s riots – causing widespread disruption and displacing hundreds of people.

James Evans, 19, and Justin Keeling, 18, entered the building in Crewe, Cheshire, on the afternoon of Friday 9 August 2024 and set a large pile of cardboard alight before the flames spread quickly and a major incident was declared.

Police have said the teenagers walked to Keeling’s home after the fire and were “laughing and joking along the way”.

The disused industrial premises is located on the junction of Catherine Street and Frances Street in Crewe town centre and is surrounded by a number of terraced houses.

Five streets were evacuated, with firefighters from all over Cheshire called in to tackle the blaze. They remained at the scene for several days.

Hundreds of residents evacuated

More than 350 people were evacuated because their homes were at risk, with some properties damaged by the fire.

Displaced residents stayed in leisure centres or with friends and family as the fire raged.

Cheshire Constabulary has said some families have still not be able to return home.

‘Officers suffer health issues after fire’

The force added that some police officers who arrived at the scene were left with “considerable health issues” which “caused them to have time off work”.

When officers put cordons in place, Keeling was among the crowd of onlookers.

He laughed at police, swore at them and shouted for people to riot.

Keeling spoke to broadcaster

Keeling also gave an interview to the BBC as news organisations reported on the fire and asked residents how they had been affected.

In the article published three days after the blaze, Keeling said: “I had to move out on Friday night along with other residents on Catherine Street because the flames were that big.”

He added: “All the businesses stuck together and they helped deliver food to everyone which was great, it’s great to see in a crisis everyone worked together.”

He also said he would now have to get his house deep-cleaned to get rid of lingering smoke particles.

While police were carrying out door-to-door enquiries they visited Keeling at his home.

The teenager told officers he saw the fire when he was walking back to Catherine Street with Evans and a third man, Peter Lord.

He claimed to have seen some youths near the building, climbing over a gate onto Bedford Street.

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As a result, a 12-year-old boy was arrested. But he was later released without charge.

Keeling later admitted to a friend that he was inside the building with two others and police were informed.

He was arrested and then released on bail.

Days later police discovered a video filmed by Keeling on his seized mobile phone.

The footage showed a large amount of cardboard in flames before the camera panned round and showed another fire.

Evans, Keeling and Lord, 20, were all arrested that day on suspicion of arson being reckless to endanger life. They each denied the offence despite the video.

Evans, from Sandbach, and Keeling and Lord, both from Crewe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 29 January for a trial.

However, Evans and Keeling pleaded guilty of arson being reckless to endanger life on the first day.

Lord was found not guilty on 3 February following a trial.

Keeling also admitted to perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

Motive unknown

Police have said Evans and Keeling’s motive for starting the fire is still not known.

They have been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 14 April.

The fire took place as far-right riots took place across the country for several days between the end of July and beginning of August.

The violence initially broke out after three young girls were stabbed to death in Southport, Merseyside.