PSYCHIATRIC reports are to be drawn up to assess the mental health of a mother and daughter accused of starting a fire which ripped through their home.

Margaret Carroll and Katrina Rosemary Livingstone were evacuated from their blazing bungalow in Leadgate, near Consett, at about 8.45am on Saturday January 31.

They were attended at the scene by paramedics as both were suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, plus other injuries said to have been sustained before the blaze caught hold.

Both were treated in hospital and, initially, 37-year-old Ms Livingstone was said to be in a critical condition, while Mrs Carroll was in a stable condition.

But on their release from hospital, both were charged with arson with intent to endanger life and the alternative of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

They appeared in a preliminary hearing via video link to Durham Crown Court from Low Newton Women’s Prison today (Wednesday February 18).

Both Dan Cordey, for Ms Livingstone, and David Lamb, for Mrs Carroll, asked to await the outcome of psychiatric assessment of the mother and daughter before they are asked to put in pleas.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the case until a plea hearing on April 23, by which time the respective psychiatric reports should be completed.

A provisional start date for a trial, if needed, was agreed for May 21.

Mrs Carroll and Ms Livingstone, both of First Street, Bradley Bungalows, Leadgate, were remanded in custody until the plea hearing.

Judge Prince said it would be up to instructing solicitors to make any request for bail to the court in the intervening period.