In the early hours of Thursday, September 11, 2025, the usually quiet Woodland Terrace in Washington, Tyne and Wear, was rocked by a major fire that swept through Vermont House—a building housing the constituency office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, a small charity for people with very rare genetic diseases, and an NHS mental health service for veterans. The blaze, which started just after midnight, left the community reeling and the building gutted, with damage estimated between £250,000 and £500,000, according to multiple sources including BBC and ChronicleLive.
The man at the center of this incident, 28-year-old Joshua Oliver, of no fixed address, was living in a tent near the building. On Friday, he admitted to starting the fire at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. His guilty plea was entered on the basis that his actions were reckless rather than intentional, a distinction that could prove pivotal in the legal proceedings to come. The Crown, however, did not accept this basis of plea, leaving open the possibility of a Newton Hearing—a special court session to determine whether the offence was indeed reckless or deliberate. District Judge Kate Meek remanded Oliver in custody, and he is set to appear at Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on October 14, 2025.
According to STV News and BBC, Oliver’s actions went beyond arson. He also admitted to burglary, having stolen a mallet and power tools from Vermont House on the night of the fire. Furthermore, he pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage for smashing windows at the same building in the days leading up to the fire, and twice smashing windows at his father’s house in Sunderland in July 2025. The case, which has shocked local residents, is now set to be resolved in the higher court, where all offences will be considered together.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire shortly after 12:20 AM, as reported by Northumbria Police. Seven appliances from the Tyne and Wear Fire Service responded to the scene, battling flames that tore through the building. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, though drone and aerial footage showed the full extent of the destruction—the entire front of Vermont House was destroyed, its roof blackened and beams exposed, as seen in images published by BBC and PA Media.
The fire did not just affect the MP’s office. It also devastated the premises of Niemann-Pick UK (NPUK), a small charity supporting people with extremely rare genetic diseases, and an NHS mental health service for veterans. The loss of these community services has left a hole in the local support network, with many wondering how long it will take to rebuild. According to The Guardian, fire investigators were seen at the site in the Concord area of Washington, assessing the damage and searching for clues about how the fire spread so quickly from its point of origin—a wheelie bin outside the building.
Oliver’s defense barrister, Heather Bolton, told the court that her client accepted responsibility for setting fire to the wheelie bin but did not intend for the flames to engulf the building. She stated, “He accepts he has set fire to the wheelie bin, he didn’t intend for the fire to spread to the building.” This claim of recklessness rather than intent could play a crucial role in sentencing, should the court accept it after further examination.
The Crown Prosecution Service, however, remains unconvinced. In a statement, a spokesperson said, “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We have worked closely with Northumbria Police as they carried out their investigation.” The Crown’s refusal to accept Oliver’s plea basis means that a Newton Hearing may be necessary to resolve the dispute over his intent, a process that could impact the severity of his sentence.
Residents and local officials have been quick to express their shock and dismay at the destruction. Vermont House was more than just an office block—it was a hub for vital community services. The charity NPUK, for example, provided support to families grappling with rare genetic diseases, while the NHS mental health service offered much-needed assistance to veterans. The loss of these services is a significant blow, especially as many of the people they served are among the most vulnerable in society.
Adding an odd twist to the scene, graffiti reading “328 days blood on your hands” was observed on the side of the building. According to The Guardian, it is believed this graffiti had been there for about a year and is not directly linked to the recent fire or to Oliver’s actions. Still, its presence has fueled speculation and rumors in the local community, though authorities have not suggested any connection between the graffiti and the arson.
The case has also highlighted broader issues facing the region. Oliver’s status as a man of no fixed address, living in a tent near the site, underscores ongoing challenges with homelessness and mental health in the area. While the court proceedings have focused on the criminal acts themselves, some local advocates have pointed to the need for more robust support systems for vulnerable individuals to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the first place.
As the date for Oliver’s sentencing approaches, attention will turn to Newcastle Crown Court, where the full details of the case will be weighed. The outcome may hinge on whether the court finds that Oliver acted with intent or was merely reckless—a determination that could make all the difference in the length and nature of his sentence. The possibility of a Newton Hearing looms, with both prosecution and defense preparing to argue their cases in detail.
For now, Vermont House stands as a stark reminder of the damage that can be wrought in a single night, and of the challenges facing communities when vital services are suddenly lost. As investigators continue their work and local leaders look for ways to support those affected, the community waits for justice to be served and for the slow process of rebuilding to begin.
