A murder investigation has been launched after a child died in a house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, less than a mile from the site of a crash on the A66 which killed seven people.
Arrests and response
Two men, aged 23 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody following the fire at an end-of-terrace property in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, Cleveland Police have confirmed.
In a statement, the force said officers were called to the property at 5:23am on Wednesday and confirmed two people had died, "including one child". It said they have yet to be formally identified.
Injuries and hospital treatment
The force said a 48-year-old woman remains in a critical condition in the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle. Three other people suffered injuries which are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Possible link to A66 crash
The force would not rule out a link between the blaze and the crash which killed two police officers and five young men.
