A DRUNKEN young dad who started a £10,000 house blaze which threatened the lives of a pensioner and a mother and her children has been jailed for nine months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Daniel Ainsworth, 23, who broke into the premises, did not know why the fire was started and alleged he had an accomplice.

Neighbours to the boarded up terrace property, Norfolk Street, Accrington, had to be evacuated as the flames took hold and smoke drifted into their homes.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Openshaw, QC, told the defendant he was not a fire raiser and did not need to be sentenced as such. He said: "I do not think you are lost to a life of crime at all. You were drunk and recognise you have a drink problem."

Ainsworth, of Park Street, Accrington, admitted arson and being reckless as to whether life was endangered, on February 10. A similar allegation against Matthew Grist, who had been a former tenant of the house, was earlier left to lie on the file.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, said about 12.30am, Jean Murphy was reading in bed when she saw two men trying to get into the house next door. She called police, the defendant and Grist were arrested nearby and Ainsworth had a lighter on him.

When the fire brigade arrived at 1am they found the property well ablaze. Mrs Murphy and a woman and children living on the other side of the house were evacuated.

Ainsworth told police at the time of the fire he had been at home drinking cider but forensic analysis on glass found on his clothes linked him with the house. Ainsworth had nine previous convictions.

Zoe Nield, defending, said Ainsworth's memory had been affected by the large amount of alcohol he had drunk. He and Grist had been drinking together and went to the house. There was no intention to start a fire and the pair went to the property to collect belongings left there by Grist.

The defendant was at a loss to explain why the blaze was started. Both panicked when they saw the fire take hold.

Miss Nield said Ainsworth claimed he would have alerted the neighbours if the police had not arrived. He accepted his dangerous actions would have been frightening for the residents and it was extremely fortunate nobody was injured.

Miss Nield added Ainsworth had been in care since the age of two and had learning difficulties and dyslexia. He had a four-year-old son and was said to be a caring and committed father.

The barrister added the defendant did not have a fascination with fires. The offence was a silly, drunken prank with serious consequences, although they were not as grave as they might have been. The proceedings had been a "wake up call" to Ainsworth, she added.