A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates on Tuesday in connection with the fire in Tachbrook Road last Friday.

He is charged with committing arson recklessly endangering life by setting fire to a mattress and sheds. The case was adjourned until August 5 at Warwick Crown Court.

Residents of the burnt-out houses have been named as Jason and Michelle Smith of - in whose garden shed the fire was believed to have started, Richard and Kath Kavannagh and Martin and Val Underhill of 197.

Mrs Kavannagh was taken to hospital after suffering an asthma attack, but no-one else was harmed. The pet Staffordshire bull terrier belonging to Mr and Mrs Smith - who have been placed in alternative accommodation - died in the fire.

Mr and Mrs Kavannagh decided to go on the holiday they had already booked, and Mr and Mrs Underhill are believed to be staying with relatives.

Karen Morris lives next door to the Kavannaghs and was at home at the time of the fire.

She said: "I saw a lot of smoke coming from the back, so I went into the garden and saw the shed alight. Half of the shed was already gone. Then I saw the fire spread into the kitchen.

"I was frightened and scared of losing my house. I had lost my nan the day before so it was all a bit traumatic. I couldn't sleep all weekend. My house is still smelling and my loft absolutely stinks.

"We were not allowed back into our homes till about 4.30pm and our electricity was out until about 6pm the next day."

Lionel Williams lives in Windmill Road, round the corner from the Underhills.

He said: "It was terrible. There was a lot of banging and you could see the flames over the top of the fence. I was worried that it might come over to my flat."

Christine Blower and Stephen Welsh live further down Windmill Road. They called Mr Williams to come into their home so he was further away from the smoke.

Ms Blower said: "I rang the fire engines straight away - everybody had called them, I think - but it took them about 20 minutes to get here.

"By that time, the flames had spread. A gas tank exploded and the whole lot went up - it was horrific. I saw Martin - he was enraged that the fire brigade had not come. He broke down completely.

"There was a lot of sparkling and crackling and there were lots of explosions. It frightened me. It's unbelievable to think it was just a fire in a shed that started it."

Emergency services were called to the initial reports of a shed fire around midday. As the incident developed, engines from Leamington, Nuneaton, Wellesbourne and Stratford, including a hydraulic platform unit, attended the scene.