A JUDGE has ordered a report on a teenager arsonist to find out if she is dangerous.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is already behind bars after starting a blaze at a man's Accrington home while he was in it.

She has appealed against a 10 month term of detention imposed after she and an accomplice set fire to a cardboard box and to carpet around victim Vincent Ireland's front door.

But the judge has demanded the report saying she wanted to know about the girl's mental state before making a decision.

The teenager, from Nelson, appeared at Burnley Crown Court after being convicted of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered by Hyndburn Youth Court. Judge Barbara Watson, sitting with two magistrates, said arson was a troubling offence.

The appellant had her case adjourned until February 23 for a medical assessment.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court the 16-year-old lived at a care home in the Hyndburn area and went for a walk with a number of other young people.

The appellant said she could take them to a "druggie's house" and they went to the home of Mr Ireland, who is an addict. He appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

The 16-year-old asked Mr Ireland for a light and he gestured to a couple of lighters on the table. She and another girl picked them up and started talking about setting light to something.

Mr Macro said the 16-year-old set fire to a cardboard box while her friend lit the carpet at the front door. Both caught light and the girls quickly left.

Another girl found Mr Ireland trying to put out the fire using a plastic bag with water in it. Damage of £400 was caused.

Mr Macro said the 16-year-and the other girl were arrested and the appellant denied the offence.

She later pleaded guilty and was given a 10 months detention and training order, to run consecutively to six months earlier imposed at Burnley youth court for shoplifting, breach of a conditional discharge and flouting an anti-social behaviour order.

Her 14-year-old co-defendant, who showed remorse and regret, was given a referral order.

Mr Macro added the maximum sentence the youth bench could have imposed was 18 months as the girl had already been serving six at the time.

Tim Ashmole, for the girl, said a psychiatric report was not available to the lower court and nor was one ever mooted.

There was no suggestion that the 16-year-old had a fascination with fire.