An estranged wife has admitted causing £15,000 to the former family home by setting light to a sofa.
Catherine Jarvis set light to the end of terrace house in Kingskerswell during the break-up of her marriage to her husband Michael.
The blaze caused serious smoke damage to the property in Water Lane, Kingskerswell, but was brought under control by the emergency services before it spread or put anyone at risk.
Former shopkeeper Jarvis, aged 54, who now lives in London, admitted arson and her case at was adjourned until November 12.
Judge Timothy Rose released her on bail and ordered psychiatric and probation reports.
Miss Emily Pitts, defending, said Jarvis had pleaded guilty on the basis that she started the fire at a time when she was confused and had been smoking and playing with a lighter on the couch.
She disputes a suggestion made by fire officers that batteries had been removed from smoke alarms, and the evidence supports her because firefighters did hear an alarm sounding when they arrived.
She said: ‘For whatever reason, she set light to the sofa and then panicked. She was not intending to cause this quantity of damage. The photographs make it look worse than it was. The total was around £15,000.
‘Her relationship withMr Jarvis continued for some time after this. It has now ended and she is in a new relationship with a new partner, who has come to court to support her.’