A 42-YEAR-OLD woman has admitted arson after a fire at a Read home.

The blaze, which happened in Whalley Road on February 15, left a 44-year-old woman with severe facial burns.

Angela Gott, of Whalley Road, pleaded guilty to a charge of arson when she appeared before Burnley Crown Court.

She will be sentenced on May 14.

Firefighters wearing specialist breathing apparatus had to go into the house to carry the victim to safety. Their colleagues battled for hours to bring the flames under control.

The woman with burns to her face and arms was taken to Wythenshawe Burns Unit.

The fire caused severe damage to the ground floor of the property. Smoke damage was caused to the upper level.

Firefighters said they believed the blaze was started in a ground-floor lounge and then quickly spread.