A Winchester man who said he set his apartment on fire to combat thieves will serve 10 years in prison.

Billy Joe Ross, 60, pleaded guilty to second-degree arson in February for the June 1, 2017, fire. Thursday, Ross was sentenced to 10 years in prison as stated in the plea agreement.

Ross lived in a second-floor apartment at 40 N. Main St. at the time, and was standing outside the building when police arrived.

Ross told police people within the building kept stealing from him, so he decided to start a fire using the curtains in the apartment.

Firefighters said the fire was contained to that apartment, but caused damage throughout the building and trapped three people on the third floor. Firefighters rescued them using the department’s ladder truck. They were treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.