Footage has surfaced online showing cars allegedly being set alight in a field during a memorial gathering in the Haswell area of County Durham. The event is understood to have been held in memory of Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 crash in Middlesbrough.
Memorial event sparks police response
Residents in the Haswell area were left shocked this evening after cars were set on fire at a balloon release for one of the occupants of the VW Passat involved in the fatal collision on the A66. According to reports, officers were dealing with multiple incidents across Teesside on Thursday night, August 27.
200 police officers, including armed response units, have been brought in from neighbouring areas to support Cleveland Police as they handle the unfolding situations.
Fatal house fire in Grangetown
This follows a tragic house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, which erupted shortly before 5.30am. Two people, including a child, perished in the flames, leading to the arrest of two men on suspicion of murder.
A 48 year old woman remains in hospital in a critical condition, while a further three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the fire that took the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven year old Valentina Foster, while leaving four others injured.
Cleveland Police are working to establish whether the A66 collision was linked to the fire in Birchington Avenue.
Community and official response
Ms McDonald's heartbroken brother Josh Kirton told reporters: "My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the (crash on the) A66. That's what makes this so senseless. People think they can do whatever they like. There's some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone."
Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, wrote on social media: "Thank you so much to the superintendent from Cleveland Police that has just taken their time to give updates to myself, Anna Turley (MP for Redcar), South Bank and Grangetown Ward councillors. They are working 20-hour days to ensure the ongoing safety of innocent residents. Over 200 extra police officers from forces around the country are here and are en route, from detectives to armed response."
"I will be sending a letter today to our Prime Minister asking for even more resource. The police really are doing an amazing job. If it is any reassurance at all, jobs called in to the police are actually down this week, however, the seriousness of the ones that have been called in need serious and swift action. Everyone is heartbroken over the loss of the aunt and little girl in Grangetown yesterday. People need to feel safe in their homes."
