A Newcastle woman started a blaze at the Byker Wall estate resulting in 6ft flames coming from a top floor flat.
Aly Wainwright started a fire at a property in Dalton Crescent on April 20, last year, leading to a multiple firefighters being called to tackle the blaze. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to arson on the day of her trial at Durham Crown Court on September 29, last year.
Wainwright appeared back at the court via link from HMP Low Newton on Wednesday where her sentencing was adjourned so that a psychiatric report could be submitted. Judge Ray Singh said: "It seems there's a report that's missing that may well be very crucial in ultimately determining the sentencing of this offence."
Read more: Newcastle 'body in freezer' sugar daddy killer died after refusing to shield from Covid in prison
Emergency services were called just before 9am after 19 calls were received about smoke coming from the site. The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed five engines arrived at the scene and all people were accounted for.
Speaking to ChronicleLive at the time, Callum Nash, 34, who lives on the third floor, was among the people who called the fire brigade. He said he was woken up by burning debris falling down and saw 6ft flames coming from a flat above. He described it as an “inferno".
Callum, who works as a researcher at Northumbria University, added: "I was woken up by bits of burning debris falling. I first thought it was something to do with building work that has been going on here. Then I saw 6ft high flames licking out of the flat above. It was like a curtain of fire.
“I called the fire brigade and within 10 seconds they were pulling up outside. Other people must have also called them. They came straight through, went to the flat and the fire was isolated to that one flat. They contained it straightaway."
Byker Community Trust, responsible for managing homes and services on the estate, said there were no casualties and all residents were safe.
Wainwright, of Dalton Crescent, Byker, will return to the court for sentence on Tuesday, April 12. She was remanded in custody until then.
