A man has pleaded guilty to intentionally starting a fire at a seaside concert and conference venue.
Smoke was seen billowing from the roof of the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on Exeter Road in August, with fire crews fighting the enveloping blaze on the outside roof fascia.
Shane Wilson, 38, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday.
He will be sentenced at the same court on 6 February.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire at about 19:30 BST on 4 August.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue crews put out the fire and left the scene by about 21:30.
The venue was closed at the time and no injuries were reported.
The BIC opened in 1984 and is the town’s main entertainment complex, regularly hosting large-scale events including concerts and the main political party conferences.
