A MAN who drove a fuel tanker into a house in Wool has died weeks after being sentenced to seven years in jail.

Hugh Billington, 52, died in hospital from what are believed to have been natural causes.

The Prison Service watchdog will now investigate the death.

Billington received his seven-year prison term at Dorchester Crown Court on April 30 in connection with the dramatic events on the morning of January 20 this year.

He admitted driving an oil tanker full of kerosene into the home he used to share with estranged wife Christine in Folly Lane.

Mrs Billington escaped through a window as Billington then went around the house starting a number of fires.

Dad Darren Fletcher bravely reacted by leaping into the cabin of the fuel tanker and reversing it away from the flames.

Billington was arrested later that morning.

The former army musician later admitted charges of arson being reckless with intent as to whether life was endangered, dangerous driving, theft and assault.

Billington’s death was confirmed by a Prison Service spokesman.

They said: “HMP Dorchester prisoner Hugh Billington was pronounced dead at an outside hospital on Thursday June 21, 2012. He is believed to have died from natural causes.

“As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

At Billington’s sentence hearing the court was told how he had served in the army for more than 25 years, principally as a musician and medical aid in the Household Cavalry Regiment.

However, he had been severely affected by the breakdown of his marriage some months before the incident and Tim Shorter, representing Billington at the sentencing, said ‘something snapped’ on the day in question.