WESTLAKE, Ohio -- The 35-year-old Westlake man who started a fire in his girlfriend's condominium that killed her dog and required evacuations was sentenced Monday to eight years and five months in prison.

Mark Hudson pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, inducing panic and cruelty to animals. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo imposed the sentence.

Hudson started the fire Jan. 11 at the King James Condos at 1851 King James Parkway in Westlake by placing a lighted cigarette in the pocket of a jacket, Assistant Prosecutor John Colan said.

Police said Hudson, of Detroit Road, was angry with his girlfriend for not being home at 4:30 a.m.

The fire destroyed the 55-year-old woman's unit and 90 people had to be evacuated from the three-story building. Her small dog, Baby, was killed.

Firefighters were able to douse the blaze before it spread to other units.

Hudson was on probation at the time for burglary and assault for attacking the woman at her condo Oct. 15, 2009.



His criminal history in Cuyahoga County also includes receiving a stolen motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and attempted possession of dangerous ordnance.

