Man jailed for 21 years after starting fatal fire in Dewsbury

Tahir Nazir, 40, of West Park Street in Dewsbury, was sentenced to a total of 21 years and nine months at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday, September 11) for manslaughter.

He started a devastating fire at a multi-occupancy residential property on Queen Street, Dewsbury, on Sunday, April 10, 2022.   

He will serve 17 years and nine months of the sentence in custody before he can be released on licence.  

The fire took the life of Nicolae Alin Gavrila, 35, who was inside the property at the time.

Nicolae Alin Gavrila (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Another four men and one woman, who were also in the house, sustained injuries.

Officers were called at 12.04am to reports of a house fire which had begun late on the Saturday evening. 

The five people inside were evacuated and treated at the scene. 

A number of other properties were also evacuated with the fire spreading to neighbouring houses. 

The body of Mr Gavrila was located later, by firefighters working through the house. 

Police arrested Nazir on April 13 and he was charged shortly afterwards.

Detective Inspector Suzanne Hall, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Tahir Nazir demonstrated an absolute disregard for life with his actions inside the property which resulted in the death of Mr Gavrila and caused injuries to five other occupants.  

“We hope the outcome at court will now help to bring a measure of closure to Mr Gavrila’s family in Romania, and to the other victims in this case.” 

The family of Mr Gavrila said he was much-loved and had come to England for a better life.

In a statement read to the court, his mother said:  

“As a result of Nicolae’s death, I feel like I have categorically lost a part of me.

"I feel like there will always be a part of me missing, and my life will never be the same.”