Jason Wallace, 26, walked into the city's main police station and told how he had set fire to a flat because the occupant owed him money, Swansea Crown Court heard.
Wallace smelled strongly of alcohol and claimed he had downed nine litres of cider.
While at the police station he became worked up and officers asked a doctor for advice.
He told them to serve him lager to lessen the withdrawal symptoms of coming off a massive drinking spree.
Judge Gerald Price said: "Wonders will never cease. Does this mean that if you turn up at a police station and ask for alcohol you might get a drink?"
Wallace admitted arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Prosecuting, Christopher Talfan Davies said Wallace lived in the same block of flats at Heol Maes-y-Cerrig, Loughor, as Jamie Thomas.
Wallace was to explain later that he became angry because Mr Thomas owed him money.
Knowing Mr Thomas was out on September 28, he entered his flat and set fire to newspapers on a bed.
Other residents had to flee for their lives and the blaze caused almost £10,000 worth of damage.
"Fortunately, firemen were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to other homes," said Mr Davies.
He added that Mr Thomas, who denied owing Wallace any money, had been left very nervous by what had happened.
Mr Davies told the court that while in custody Wallace refused medication, but agreed to take glucose if it came with alcohol.
Wallace's barrister, Nic Sefton, said he had a serious drink problem and was now enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Mr Sefton confirmed that lager had been obtained for Wallace in police custody as a way of getting him to calm down.
Judge Price said arson was a "grave offence" and a prison sentence was inevitable.
"Fires can easily spread," he added.
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Wallace smelled strongly of alcohol and claimed he had downed nine litres of cider.
While at the police station he became worked up and officers asked a doctor for advice.
He told them to serve him lager to lessen the withdrawal symptoms of coming off a massive drinking spree.
Judge Gerald Price said: "Wonders will never cease. Does this mean that if you turn up at a police station and ask for alcohol you might get a drink?"
Wallace admitted arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Prosecuting, Christopher Talfan Davies said Wallace lived in the same block of flats at Heol Maes-y-Cerrig, Loughor, as Jamie Thomas.
Wallace was to explain later that he became angry because Mr Thomas owed him money.
Knowing Mr Thomas was out on September 28, he entered his flat and set fire to newspapers on a bed.
Other residents had to flee for their lives and the blaze caused almost £10,000 worth of damage.
"Fortunately, firemen were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to other homes," said Mr Davies.
He added that Mr Thomas, who denied owing Wallace any money, had been left very nervous by what had happened.
Mr Davies told the court that while in custody Wallace refused medication, but agreed to take glucose if it came with alcohol.
Wallace's barrister, Nic Sefton, said he had a serious drink problem and was now enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Mr Sefton confirmed that lager had been obtained for Wallace in police custody as a way of getting him to calm down.
Judge Price said arson was a "grave offence" and a prison sentence was inevitable.
"Fires can easily spread," he added.
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