A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder after a house fire killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt in Grangetown.
Police attended the blaze at Birchington Avenue at 5.23am on August 26. Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece Valentina Foster died in the incident, while four others were injured.
Charges brought by Cleveland Police
On Tuesday, Cleveland Police said the man has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent. He will appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 1.
Senior investigating officer Katie Smith of Northumbria Police said: "This has been a truly tragic incident, and my thoughts remain with the families of all those involved." She thanked local residents for their support and patience during the investigation and asked anyone with information to share it via the Major Incident Public Portal.
Prosecutors confirm evidence
Katie Nicolson, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, said: "Our prosecutors have worked closely with Cleveland Police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court." She noted that proceedings are active and the accused has the right to a fair trial.
"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings," she said.
Other arrests and injuries
A 31-year-old man arrested in connection with the case was released without charge on Sunday. Police said on Friday that a woman, 48, was in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in a "critical but stable" condition, while a 27-year-old man was at James Cook University hospital receiving treatment. Two teenage girls were discharged after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
