A FRUIT machine gambler has pleaded guilty to arson following a huge fire at Birch motorway services which caused £7 million worth of damage.
At Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday, Jason New (31), from Blackpool, admitted the arson at the service station on the westbound carriageway of the M62 last year.
New is believed to have started the fire around 1.45am on October 9 last year after he lost some money in a slot machine.
He set fire to the machine and flames spread to the rest of the shopping and cafeteria area, also forcing guests at the nearby Travelodge to be evacuated.
The blaze raged for up to four hours, and was tackled by 74 firefighters from 13 stations, including Bury.
New will be sentenced on November 15.
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