A man has been found guilty of deliberately starting a series of allotment fires in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Nathan Smith, of no fixed address, had previously claimed he slept through the blaze, which ripped through Lane End allotments, off Mansfield Road, at around 9.30pm on May 14 this year.
The court was told he was found by police in hedgerows nearby just off the A38, and was arrested at around 10.15pm.
One witness told the trial she heard sizzling and thought a gas canister would explode - and it did.
The witness, who worked at the Kings Mill Farm pub, told the jury "it was really frightening", adding: "I was moving customers away...it almost blew me off my feet. It was really loud."
Emergency services from across the region were called out to the fire and sound of explosions.
Plumes of thick smoke could be seen billowing into the sky with the blaze well alight.
Roads in the area were closed as part of the emergency response.
Smith pleaded not guilty to two allegations of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, December 6.
However, the 31-year-old was subsequently found guilty on both counts of arson.
Smith is due to be sentenced on January 22.
Notts: To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here.
