A teenager has admitted starting a fire at a pensioner’s house, causing about £55,000 worth of damage.

The blaze ripped through the home in Sussex Road, Maidstone, on July 2 last year while the 71-year-old was out.

The boy, 16, who cannot be identified, had been charged with arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, but his guilty plea to "simple" arson was accepted this week.

Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson told a judge at Maidstone Crown Court the effect on the victim, 71, was “clearly devastating”, describing his life as having been ruined.

“The damage caused is based on an insurance assessment,” said Mr Stevenson.

Judge Philip Statman told the boy, who was 15 at the time of the offence: “Arson is a very serious matter indeed. The Court of Appeal has always said cases of this kind should be investigated by full reports, particularly with a young person.”

Adjourning sentence until February 23, the judge warned: “The fact I have asked for reports doesn’t mean to say what is going to happen to you at the end of the day.

“This is a really serious matter. You are in reality going to be in a situation where you could lose your liberty. I have got to read all about you.”

Bail was continued for the teenager, who is in the care of social services out of the county.

The blaze started in the rented semi-detached house shortly after 11pm.

Another resident said at the time: “I have never seen anything like it. It was like something out of a film.

“We heard the right hand window shatter and everyone went outside to see what was going on.

“You could see the flames - the whole of the top floor was on fire. Then the other window went. It took the firefighters a good 20 minutes to bring it under control.”