Huddersfield neighbour denies starting Fartown fire which killed man and saw child thrown from window

A man has denied starting the fire that killed a man and left a young family with nothing.

Marcin Kramarski, 42, of Hillhouse Lane, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via a video link from HMP Leeds on Thursday where he was arraigned and asked to enter pleas to two counts.

Mr Kramarski denied both murder and arson with intent to endanger life o February 14 this year. Raimondas Vejelis died in hospital following the fire at his flat in Hillhouse Lane.

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West Yorkshire Police and the Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene in Fartown at around 2.46am. A Huddersfield mum previously told YorkshireLive how she was forced to throw her young child from her second floor window as the blaze ravaged their home.

Inas Himedan, 33, woke up to find flames engulfing their home and said she had no choice but to throw her child to her husband, who had already jumped with their youngest daughter. After making sure the girls, aged three and four, were safe, Inas then jumped to the ground as thick smoke filled the second floor flat.

Mr Kramarski appeared before Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl KC, who set a trial date of September 9 this year. The judge said it is estimated the trial could take up to ten days. A further case management hearing was set for June 17.

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