Shropshire woman who started fire at mother's home to have hospital treatment

Chloe Turner, 20, lit a duvet on top of a sofa at the house on Street Meadow in Church Stretton, when her mother Sarah Gibbons was inside.

The fire had been started on October 30, last year, at the semi-detached home.

Prosecuting, Lisa Hancox, said Turner was due to be spending the night at her mother's home.

Mrs Gibbons had been asleep on the top floor of the house when she was woken by the fire alarm.

She found the duvet on fire on top of a blanket, which she said was "like a bonfire".

Once out of the property, she saw Turner, of Brook Road, Craven Arms, fully dressed, walking down the road on her phone.

Ms Hancox added: "The defendant contacted the police herself and said "I've done something stupid"."

She said she did not know why she had started the fire and in an interview said she had not intended to hurt anyone.

The blaze caused about £80,000 of damage.

She admitted a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered at Shrewsbury Crown Court on January 30.

At the same court yesterday, an interim hospital order was made by Judge Jim Tindall under section 38 of the mental health act which will give Turner 12 weeks assessment in hospital.

The case will return to court on June 16 for a final verdict.