A woman has admitted arson following a “revenge” attack in which a house went up in flames.

Stacey Hinks, 34, deliberately set fire to the council house in Springfield Grove, Boroughbridge, causing a huge blaze which ravaged the entire property.

She appeared at York Crown Court via video link today (June 30) after being remanded in Low Newton women’s prison.

Hinks, from Boroughbridge but currently of no fixed address, admitted arson and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. Her case was listed for sentence in August.

The incident occurred at about 11pm on May 15 when police and the fire service were called to a property in Springfield Grove.

Several fire crews from Ripon, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Acomb and Thirsk were called to the blaze and an aerial appliance from Harrogate was also taken to the scene.

The fire gutted the entire house and caused damage to the roof of a neighbouring property. Firefighters used 12 breathing apparatus, six hoses, small tools and thermal imaging to extinguish the fire.

Nobody was inside the property at the time of the blaze, but crime-scene investigators and fire-investigation officers suspected it was started deliberately.

An increased number of high-visibility police patrols were in the area in the immediate aftermath of the fire to reassure the local community.

Judge Sean Morris said it was evidently a “revenge” attack and adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Hinks was remanded in custody until sentence on August 1.