A seven-year-old girl and her 34-year-old aunt have died following a house fire in Grangetown, Teesside, prompting a murder investigation. Northumbria Police is assisting Cleveland Police with the inquiry.
Emergency services, including police and firefighters, were called to a fire at a property on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, at 5:23am on Wednesday. Two people lost their lives in the blaze.
Victims named locally
The two deceased have been named locally as Valentina Foster, seven, and her 34-year-old aunt, Natalie McDonald. Natalie's mother, Lisa Kirton, described Natalie as "a beautiful, bubbly person who everyone knew."
A woman, 48, remains at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in a critical condition. Three other people sustained injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
Arrests and tributes
Cleveland Police has launched a murder investigation following the fire. Two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They remain in police custody, and enquiries are ongoing.
Northumbria Police is supporting Cleveland Police with the murder investigation, and North Yorkshire Police has also been drafted in to help. A strong police presence remains in the area.
A number of floral tributes and cuddly toys have been left at the scene, including a soft toy bunny adorned with the words: "Now she dances with butterflies, Valentina."
