Teenagers admit campaign of arson

One of the 16-year-olds also pleaded guilty to starting fire in a classroom at Tong High School back in January.

The pair, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were arrested in February after a spate of arson attacks on two separate nights that month in and around the Holme Wood area of the city.

Yesterday at Bradford Crown Court a judge said reports on the two teenagers would have to address the danger they posed.

The pair pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life in relation to an early hours fire at the home of 78-year-old Bill McHale in Moorcroft Drive on February 8.

The widower was asleep when fire broke out on the ground floor of the house where he had lived for more than 40 years.

The pensioner, who suffered smoke inhalation, was rescued by neighbours and firemen, and his scottie dog Lulu was also saved from the blaze.

About 15 minutes later fire crews were called to another fire at Joan Goodall's bungalow on nearby Leamside Walk. She suffered smoke inhalation during the incident.

The teenagers also admitted a charge of arson with intent to endanger life in respect of the attack on the bungalow.

On the same night a family with children, escaped from their flat in Patefield House, Kesteven Road, after discovering a fire. The family suffered shock and the effects of breathing smoke.

The defendants admitted a charge of arson being reckless as to whether lives would be endangered in respect of the flat fire and pleaded guilty to a similar allegation arising out of another fire at a house in Heysham Drive on the night of February 6.

In that first incident a mother and two children were pulled out of a window to safety by passing police officers as flames and smoke swept through their home just after 3am.

The defendants also pleaded guilty to further offences of arson relating to attacks on three cars in the area.

Judge Robert Bartfield adjourned sentence on the teenagers so that psychiatric reports could be prepared and they were both remanded back into custody until August 2.