<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/western-australia" rel="" target="" title="West Australian"><span>West Australian</span></a><span> father who set </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/fire" rel="" target="" title="fire"><span>fire</span></a><span> to his home while young children were inside has been jailed for eight years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="judge"><span>judge</span></a><span> today commended the bravery of police officers who risked their lives to save the children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When police arrived at the Albany home last April, they had no idea what they were about to face.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/bikie-denies-any-involvement-in-womans-1999-disappearance/cm9v7nkm900020hkajr8o21nv"><strong><span>Bikie denies any involvement in woman's 1999 disappearance</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Flames blocked their path into the property where four kids, the youngest just 18 months old, were inside.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Verdon Garlett had gone to his home, which was in breach of protective bail conditions, while under the influence of meth.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 30-year-old accused his partner of infidelity and, as police approached, started splashing petrol.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/wa-news-father-jailed-over-house-fire-while-young-children-were-inside/32bb1aba-4bbf-42c4-b318-3d197172cd74" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some of it landed on the mother as she held a young toddler.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm killing you tonight, dog," he yelled at her.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/audrey-griffin-murder-accused-adrian-torrens-dies-in-police-custody/78f8bab2-38cf-44f4-b6a3-5cbb18872e27"><strong><span>Man accused of murdering NSW teen Audrey Griffin dies in police custody</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When police kicked in the door, Garlett used a cigarette lighter to ignite the fire, which spread rapidly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Garlett's elderly grandmother also had to flee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police called for back up as screams rang out.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The offender was tackled to the ground by some officers, as others desperately searched inside for more children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today, Judge Alan Troy commended police, calling them absolute heroes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said if one auxiliary officer hadn't gone through thick smoke and found a two-year-old hiding under blankets, she could have easily died.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Garlett will have to serve six years before he's eligible for parole.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD 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