A dangerous arsonist started a terrifying fire as "an act of spite" against innocent allotment holders.
Nathan Smith was responsible for the horrific blaze.
But he was absent from his sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, February 25.
The full extent of the fire he caused at Lane End allotments, off Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was heard in court where one witness had described a gas cylinder exploding and "it nearly blew me off my feet".
Another witness, a police officer involved in the search, described a gas cylinder exploding and "the sky lit up, the ground shook and the noise was overwhelming".
Smith's trial, where he was convicted of two charges of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, saw bodyworn footage from the scene showing the extent of the blaze.
Several sheds were burned to the ground as Smith, who had a long-term addiction to drugs and then alcohol, started a series of fires.
Four separate seats of fire burned, causing considerable damage.
One allotment holder said in a statement his shed was completely burned to the ground, including tools and equipment, which had been passed down by family members over the years.
"These items held sentimental value to me," he said.
Smith, 31, of of no fixed address, was sadly homeless and sleeping rough.
After the woodland where he had been sleeping was cleared, his belongings were removed and binned.
"You were upset and angry, I understand that," said Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham. "I can be sympathetic to that, but that was in no way the fault of the allotment holders.
"It seems to me this was committed in spite. You have trashed a valuable community asset."
After the shocking incident fought by brave firefighters, Smith committed a racially-aggravated assault on a police officer by spitting towards him and threatening him with violence and calling him a racial name.
Smith has 35 convictions on his record for 67 offences which involved violence, disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and acquisitive crime "much of it caused by longstanding addiction to cannabis and alcohol", added the judge.
Smith had also kicked the stomach of a pregnant woman - with longstanding consequences for the development of the child - and had previously been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm on the woman.
The judge concluded that the arson was "an act of spite directed against allotment holders" who did not even know him.
He presented a danger to the public in future, added the judge, as he passed five years concurrently on each arson, with an extended licence of two years on his release.
A consecutive sentence of three months was imposed for the racially-aggravated assault.
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
