Two boys who went on a fire-raising rampage across a Bradford housing estate will be assessed by psychiatrists before they are sentenced.

The 16-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted a string of arson attacks when they appeared in the dock at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Four houses and three cars went up in flames in a three-day trail of damage and terror in the Holme Wood area in February.

The boys – one wearing a red England football shirt, the other in a blue and white tracksuit top – were flanked in the dock by staff from the separate secure units where they are being held when they appeared before Judge Robert Bartfield.

Both admitted two offences of arson with intent to endanger life and two of reckless arson at people’s homes. They also admitted burning three cars – a Renault Clio, a Ford Mondeo and a Fiat Cinquecento.

One of the boys also admitted reckless arson at Tong High School, Westgate Hill, Bradford, in January.

Prosecutor Richard Gioserano said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown.

The boys’ legal teams asked for sentencing to be adjourned for the preparation of probation service reports.

Psychiatrists instructed by the boys’ lawyers are drawing up reports.

Judge Bartfield said: “All reports should address the issue of dangerousness on these two young men.”

The case was listed for a half- day sentencing hearing in August.

Judge Bartfield told the teenagers: “You are remanded in custody for fear you might commit another offence or abscond.”

In February, Samina Hunkins told the Telegraph & Argus of her terror when flames and smoke swept through her home at Heysham Drive at 3am on February 6.

She, her son Nathan, five, and a friend’s 11-year-old daughter were pulled to safety from a window by passing police officers.

“They were heroes and deserve a medal,” said Miss Hunkins, 37.

Two days later, William McHale, 78, was helped by neighbours to escape his burning home on Moorcroft Drive.

He was taken by ambulance to Bradford Royal Infirmary suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fifteen minutes later, Joan Goodall fell victim to the teenage firebugs. She suffered smoke inhalation from an arson attack at her elderly person’s bungalow in Leamside Walk.

Minutes later, Kimberley, Wayne, Liam, Alex and Molly Gladwin discovered their flat at Patefield House, Kesteven Road, was ablaze. They suffered shock and the effects of breathing in smoke as they escaped.