A TEENAGER has admitted to starting a fire which resulted in the death of a schoolgirl.

The youngster perished as a result of the fire at her home in Darlington, despite frantic efforts to rescue her from the burning property.

She died in the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, after being rescued from the property in 2018.

Today, a teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to gross negligence when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Jamie Hill QC, prosecuting, confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service would offer no evidence for a second charge of arson, being reckless to whether life would be endangered, when the youth appears at court for sentencing in October.

The teenager's barrister, John Elvidge QC, called for a pre-sentence report to be carried out following his client's guilty plea.

Judge Paul Watson QC warned the teenager that despite being released on bail, it was no indication of the sentence he would impose.

"This case is now adjourned unto October 12," he added. "You must be here then and I will deal with you on this matter that you have pleaded guilty to."

The fatal fire caused shock amongst the close-knit community at the time and residents rallied round to support the girl's family.

Fire tore through the house, trapping the little girl inside.

Despite the frantic efforts of neighbours to save her, they were pushed back by the thick black smoke. The youngster was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died four days after the fire.

Neighbours told at the time how one person crawled through acrid smoke to try to reach her but was overwhelmed and forced to retreat from the building.

They said they were all frantically calling to the girl as fire raged through the council property but received no response.