Child among two dead in Grangetown house fire; two arrested

A child is among two people who died following a house fire in Grangetown, Cleveland. Police have arrested two men, aged 23 and 31, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. The fire occurred at an end-of-terrace property on Birchington Avenue.

Cleveland Police confirmed they were called to the property at 5:23am on Wednesday. Officers found two deceased individuals, one of whom was a child. Formal identification has not yet taken place. A 48-year-old woman remains in a critical condition at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. Three other individuals suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Investigation into potential links

The fatal blaze occurred less than a mile from the site of a collision on the A66 that resulted in the deaths of two police officers and five young men. Cleveland Police stated they are keeping an open mind regarding the circumstances and have not ruled out potential connections to wider organised crime. Superintendent Emily Harrison said officers are working to establish exactly what happened and encouraged anyone with information to contact them.

The A66 crash involved a VW Passat, which was travelling in the wrong direction, and a marked police armed response vehicle. Officers Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, died in the collision. The five occupants of the Passat, aged between 17 and 23, were also pronounced dead at the scene. Cleveland Police have arrested 17 people in connection with the A66 incident, with two charged and the rest bailed, as part of investigations into alleged organised crime.

Neighbours described hearing shouting and screaming in the early hours of Wednesday. One resident, who declined to give her surname, described the heat from the house as intense and stated she helped a woman who had jumped from an upstairs window. Firefighters were seen working to extinguish the blaze.

Redcar Labour MP Anna Turley offered condolences to the families affected and urged the community to avoid speculation. Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor for Grangetown, Adam Brook, called the fire 'absolutely devastating' and also appealed for restraint from speculation.

What happens next

The two arrested men remain in police custody. Cleveland Police have stated they will maintain a high visibility presence in the Grangetown area and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Inquests for those who died in the A66 crash were scheduled to open on Thursday.