A man who set fire to his own house, endangering the life of his wife and a child and killing two dogs, has been warned he could face jail.
Fire and rescue crews rushed to the peaceful Fife village of Strathmiglo after Colin Urquhart started the blaze in February.
The end terraced home was badly damaged as a result of the fire, and there was nothing emergency workers could do to save the two pet dogs trapped within.
Cupar Sheriff Court heard that Urquhart, now of Claymore Drive in Glenrothes, wilfully set fire to bundles of clothing within the two-storey house, on High Street, on February 21 this year.
The blaze started by the 32 year-old quickly took hold, with flames eventually consuming much of the property. A significant proportion of the fabric of the building was damaged as a result.
The charge admitted by Urquhart states that the home was ”rendered uninhabitable” as a result of the fire.
Urquhart admitted the blaze endangered the life of his wife and a child who were within the premises at the time.
He also admitted causing the death of two dogs.
Firefighters from Glenrothes and Newburgh had been dispatched to Strathmiglo when the alarm was raised shortly after 2.30pm on the day in question.
Urquhart was taken into custody for questioning in relation to the incident later the same day.
During a brief court appearance on Thursday, Urquhart spoke only to confirm his name and to intimate he was pleading guilty to the offence.
Sheriff Fiona Tait deferred sentence until November 24, saying reports would be required to allow for full consideration of all sentencing options including a spell behind bars.
Urquhart was released on bail pending preparation of the reports.