A 17-year-old boy set fire to the terraced house he was living in during a psychotic episode brought on by his use of cocaine, ketamine and alcohol.

Blackburn magistrates heard the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, started a fire at the bottom of the stairs to stop ‘them’ getting to him.

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But he ended up throwing a mattress out of an upstairs window for him to jump on to while his sister’s dog and pet hamster died during the blaze.

The boy pleaded guilty to arson to an address in London Terrace, Darwen, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He was made subject to a six-month detention and training order.

District Judge James Clarke said he had set fire to a house knowing the next door property was occupied.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said damage estimated at £10,000 had been caused to the property and the pets had been killed.

Peter King, defending, said his client had set fire to bedding at the foot of the stairs.

“In his mind he was creating a barrier to prevent those he perceived were attacking him getting up the stairs,” said Mr King.

“After he started the fire he alerted a neighbour and asked her to contact the fire brigade.”

He said the teenager had taken alcohol and drugs in massive quantities, creating a mental state which left him with no control of his behaviour, actions or thoughts.

“He was in a psychotic state due to substance abuse and while that doesn’t provide a defence it goes some way to explaining his mental state,” said Mr King.