Police say that allotments, sheds and greenhouses were burned to the ground at the site in Nottinghamshire, in addition to a small explosion being caused.
Nathan Smith, 31, of no fixed address, was caught by police within minutes of starting the blaze after it caused a small explosion.
Multiple allotments, sheds and greenhouses were also burned to the ground at a site in Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, on 14 May 2021.
Fire crews from Ashfield, Blidworth and London Road worked to put out the large blaze, while police quickly apprehended Smith after he was found hiding in a bush.
An officer was then racially abused by Smith following his capture, while he also spat at police and made threats of violence.
Roads in the area were closed as emergency service colleagues worked together to put out the fire and bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
Smith appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (25 February 2022) where he was charged with two counts of arson and one count of racially aggravated assault.
He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison and a further two years on extended licence.
DC Beth Sumner, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured a long custodial sentence for Smith, whose actions that night were completely inexcusable.
“Smith deliberately lit a number of fires across the allotment site which led to multiple structures being severely damaged or destroyed as a result and a small explosion that would have been incredibly concerning for the local community.
“Thankfully nobody was hurt as a result of the blaze, although it required a joint response from emergency services to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
“We will never tolerate any form of hate crime towards at our officers and will always call for anyone who acts in this way towards emergency service colleagues to be prosecuted.
“It really should go without saying but there is absolutely no place for this type of behaviour in our society.”
