THE sentencing of a man responsible for a fire which led to the evacuation of a hostel has been delayed to allow the owner to outline the effect of the blaze.

Robert Wilkinson was warned to expect a prison sentence after admitting starting the fire which badly damaged the Albert Guest House, in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, in January.

Residents were evacuated and several were escorted from the fire-hit and smoke-logged building by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

Four casualties were taken to hospital for treatment for mainly smoke inhalation, while another suffered an epileptic seizure.

Police and fire officials launched an inquiry and pinpointed the seat of the blaze as a first floor bedroom in the former care home, between Front Street and Windsor Place.

It caused extensive damage to rooms on the first floor, while the rest of the building was smoke damaged.

Six fire crews were in attendance tackling the incident at its peak, late on Saturday, January 17.

Other residents present had to be found alternative accommodation, provided by the home owner.

Wilkinson, 22, of no fixed abode, has been in custody since his arrest following the incident.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, at a hearing at Durham Crown Court last month.

The prosecution accepted the plea, rather than pursue the alternative of arson intending to endanger life.

Wilkinson was to have been sentenced at the court on Friday (April 10), following psychiatric assessment of Wilkinson.

But as those reports were only presented to the judge and prosecution at the hearing, Judge Christopher Prince said he wanted time to give full consideration to their contents.

He also asked for a victim statement to outline the cost of damage and repairs, as well as the impact on residents and the owner.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, said: “I understand the owner wishes to apply for compensation for the damage.

“There was a complete ‘flash back’, with extensive damage, windows were cracked and electrical equipment was destroyed.

“The fire was caused by an open flame being applied to a flammable surface in the room.

“The defendant says it was a discarded cigarette on bedding, but there’s no evidence on way or another about that, although the seat of the blaze was the bed.

“There is cctv from the hostel showing him leaving his room with something cupped in his hand and twice going to the room in question, which was not his room.”

Wilkinson was remanded to remain in custody pending the new sentencing hearing, on Friday, May 1.