Residents in the Haswell area of County Durham were left shocked this evening after cars were set on fire at a balloon release held for one of the occupants of the VW Passat involved in the fatal collision on the A66 in Middlesbrough.
Footage has surfaced online showing cars reportedly being set on fire in a field during the memorial gathering, at which balloons were released into the sky. The event is thought to have been held in tribute to Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who tragically lost his life in the A66 crash.
200 officers drafted in
Reports indicate that officers were responding to numerous incidents across Teesside on Thursday night, 27 August. Some 200 police officers, including armed response units, were drafted in from neighbouring forces to support Cleveland Police as they tackled the unfolding disorder.
This follows a devastating house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, which broke out shortly before 5.30am. Two people, including a child, perished in the blaze, leading to the arrest of two men on suspicion of murder.
House fire victims named
A 48-year-old woman remains in hospital in a critical condition, while a further three people sustained injuries not considered life-threatening. The fire claimed the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster, leaving four others injured, with two men arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident.
Cleveland Police are working to establish whether the A66 collision was linked to the fire in Birchington Avenue.
Community reaction
Ms McDonald's grief-stricken 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, took to social media to say: "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."
