A BURGLAR’S carelessly discarded cigarette started a blaze that wrecked a city gift shop and from which eight people had to be rescued.

Days before the fire at The Magpie’s Nest, Canterbury, the same intruder broke into the Little Italy restaurant and stole cash.

Drug addict James Marsh, 25, of Craddock Road, Canterbury, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and two burglaries at the city's crown court.

He was remanded in custody for reports.

Caroline Knight, prosecuting, said Marsh committed a number of commercial burglaries in the city centre in November. He stole cash to buy drugs.

Judge Timothy Nash said: "This is a very serious offence. Whether the defendant thought about it or not, he could have killed eight people.

"This type of offence carries a substantial prison sentence."

Marsh will be sentenced on February 9.