Middlesbrough man set fire to his own home in a 'fit of pique' following Christmas Day row Middlesbrough man set fire to his own home in a 'fit of pique' following Christmas Day row A ROW on Christmas Day ended with the fire brigade being called when a man started a fire in home during a 'fit of pique'. Paul Yates caused £15,000 worth of damage to his rented home after his partner walked out following a drunken argument during the festive period in 2019. Teesside Crown Court heard how the 36-year-old set alight combustible items on his bed before walking out of the Middlesbrough house and calling the emergency services.