A young woman will appear before the crown court next month over allegations she set fire to her family home.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon, Savannah Oldacre, 22, of Abbey View Road, Moredon, entered no pleas to two charges of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

It followed two fires at the family home in Frobisher Drive, Walcot, on November 7.

Simon Houston was one of the people who had to leave his house. He told the Adver at the time: “I heard a knock on the front door from the family two doors down and was told to get out.

“The firefighters were amazing, they were here within five minutes and kept us updated about what was going on.

“We were evacuated last year as well, when there was an arson attack. This time, though, I’ve heard from the family who live there that the fire started from an electrical socket.

“I’m worried about it happening again and I feel bad for the family because this is going to cost them a fortune, though the important thing is that no-one was hurt.”

Another onlooker said: “I saw flames coming out of the window and there was smoke everywhere."