AN army officer who caused a huge blaze at his barracks after firing a flare at a drunken party has been ordered to pay £10,000 compensation.

A court martial heard the blaze, which caused £400,000 of damage at Allenby Barracks, Bovington Camp, last July, started after Captain Rupert Nurich took part in "improvised gladitorial-style combat."

Nurich, of the Royals Scots Dragoon Guards, was found guilty of negligently damaging service property, given a severe reprimand and ordered to pay £10,000 to a civilian steward who lost all her personal possessions in the fire.

He was earlier found not guilty of arson.

After a dinner attended by around 50 soldiers and civilians, Nurich and Lieutenant Tim Carpenter, also of the Scots Dragoon Guards, were involved in setting off the flares.

Lieutenant Carpenter, who was found not guilty of arson and not guilty of negligently damaging service property, admitted firing some flares and handing one to Captain Nurich.

Nurich admitted firing the flare from the pool area of the barracks, which went through the window of a bedroom setting fire to the room and a corridor.

Ten fire engines from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, some travelling from as far afield as Westbourne, were called to the scene at midnight on July 22.

The service's aerial platform was also required so firefighters in breathing equipment could access the top floor of the seven-storey barrack block.

During Nurich's court martial, at Bulford Barracks, the hearing was told Nurich was experienced in handling weapons and pyrotechnics.

The hearing also heard that Nurich had drunk two glasses of Pimms and six glasses of wine at the party.

The civilian steward who lost all her property also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and mild depression following the fire.