UP to 40 people who witnessed the bushfire which tore through Maiden Gully on Black Saturday, resulting in one man’s death and the loss of 61 homes, will be called to give evidence in the case against two teenagers accused of lighting the deadly blaze.A magistrate yesterday said the committal hearing, which is likely to last for three weeks, would be held before the end of the year.“I can assure you the court will push this case forward with a certain amount of vigour,” he said.The defence and prosecution will have two months to determine which witnesses, out of more than 260, will be needed to give evidence during the committal.A preliminary date for the hearing has been set for November 1.The accused appeared via video-link in a Victorian Children’s Court yesterday afternoon.The court was told both teenagers were awaiting psychiatric reports. They are each facing more than 150 charges including single counts of arson causing death, deliberately lighting a bushfire, lighting fire on a total fire ban day and lighting fire in a country area during extreme weather conditions.They are also charged with multiple counts of criminal damage by fire (arson) and using a telecommunications service to menace, harass and offend.Bendigo resident Mick Kane died when fire ripped through his Long Gully home on Black Saturday.More than 350 hectares of land, 61 houses and 125 sheds and outbuildings were also destroyed.The teenagers were arrested by Taskforce Phoenix detectives just five days before the first anniversary of the fires.At a bail application in Melbourne for the older teen, the court heard the youths blamed each other.A detective from bushfire Taskforce Phoenix said witnesses had seen the boys heading into deeper bushland in Maiden Gully about 3.15pm on Black Saturday. He said they allegedly lit a fire in a dry creek bed near Bracewell Street at 4.20pm. The court heard one of the teenagers had made partial admissions to lighting the fire. The names of the teenagers or any details which could identify them can not be published because of their age.They will return to court on August 18 for a special mention. The committal hearing date is subject to that mention.