Murder arrests after fire kills two including child near Mid

Key Takeaways

• Murder arrests after fire kills two including childImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Two people died, including a child, and four are being treated
• The blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, broke out just before 05:30 BST and also left a 48-year-old woman in hospital in a critical condition, al
• Cleveland Police said the two victims were yet to be formally identified
• The men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in police custody, the force said
• Cleveland Police said it was "keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time"

Murder arrests after fire kills two including child

Image source, PA Media

Image caption,

Two people died, including a child, and four are being treated in hospital

ByTom BurgessPamela Tickell and Federica BedendoNorth East and Cumbria

Updated 4 hours ago

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people died in a house fire including a child, police have confirmed.

The blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, broke out just before 05:30 BST and also left a 48-year-old woman in hospital in a critical condition, alongside a further three people who suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Cleveland Police said the two victims were yet to be formally identified.

The men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in police custody, the force said.

Cleveland Police said it was "keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time".

The fire happened about two miles from the A66 crash that killed five young men and two police officers on Saturday morning.

Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander Supt Emily Harrison said the force was working to "establish the circumstances of exactly what has happened".

"We will have a high visibility presence in the Grangetown area and encourage anyone who has concerns, or who may have information, to approach our officers."

Patrols have been increased in the local area to "reassure the local community", the force said earlier.

Image source, PA

Image caption,

Four people remain in hospital receiving treatment after the fire

Firefighters damped down the smoking roof of the home which has been wrecked and a ladder was propped against a rear upstairs window.

A 20-year-old neighbour described how local residents tried to rescue the occupants.

Ellie, who did not want to give her surname, said: "The entire house was scorching.

"I couldn't get near the front of the house, it was that hot."

She described holding the hand of a crying woman who had jumped from an upstairs window, staying with her until paramedics arrived.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "My daughter heard shouting and screaming this morning.

"The dogs were barking."

Image source, PA Media

Image caption,

Police said patrols had increased in the area to "reassure the local community"

Police officers guarded a cordon around the scene and Northern Powergrid staff were also on site.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said it sent six fire engines and the Incident Command Unit.

At 13:30 BST it confirmed the fire had been extinguished, but one engine remained on "proactive standby".

A spokesperson said road closures were in place and asked members of the public to avoid the area where possible.

They also said the "tragic incident" was being jointly investigated by the fire service and Cleveland Police.

'Tragic loss'

Redcar MP Anna Turley said the community had faced a "profound amount of heartbreak over the past few weeks".

She said: "I am devastated to hear of the tragic loss of life following this morning's fire in Grangetown.

"My deepest condolences are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have died, and my thoughts are also with those injured and receiving treatment."

Grangetown councillor Adam Brook urged people not to speculate.

He said: "Many residents have been in touch with me throughout the morning, and I know there is understandably a great deal of concern.

"However, I would urge people not to speculate or share unconfirmed information."

The families of the people involved have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

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Cleveland Police says it "cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime" after the fire.

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