Two people have died and four were hospitalised following a house fire in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, with police launching a murder investigation and stating they "cannot rule out links to organised crime."
The blaze broke out on Birchington Avenue just after 5am on August 26. Cleveland Police said a woman was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in a critical condition, while three other people are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Seven fire engines were deployed to the scene, with both Birchington Avenue and Leighton Road closed. Armed police officers were also sent to the location. The fire has caused extensive damage to the home, with the roof badly impacted, as well as smoke damage and smashed windows.
Police statement on investigation
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, Superintendent Emily Harrison, said: "This is a tragic incident which has sadly resulted in the deaths of a number of people this morning, and their families are being supported by specially trained officers.
"We are working to establish the circumstances of exactly what has happened, but we are keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time. We will have a high visibility presence in the Grangetown area as this investigation progresses, and to provide reassurance to local communities, who will no doubt be impacted by this tragic incident."
She added: "We encourage anyone who has concerns, or who may have information regarding the incident in the early hours of this morning, to approach one of our officers or to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 170941, or Crimestoppers anonymously, either online, or by calling 0800 555 1111."
Emergency services response
A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade confirmed: "Cleveland Fire Brigade was called at 05:23 this morning (26 August) to an incident on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown. Crews are currently dealing with a house fire, with six fire engines and the Incident Command Unit at the scene."
Road closures are in place in the surrounding area, with the public asked to avoid the area where possible. The incident remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided when available.
A representative from North East Ambulance Service stated: "We were called to a fire at a private address in Grangetown, Middlesbrough at 5:17am on Wednesday 26 August. We dispatched five ambulance crews, one specialist paramedic, two clinical team leaders, one duty officer, one HART resource (Hazardous Area Response Team). Four patients were taken to James Cook University Hospital for further treatment."
Context of recent incidents
The Grangetown murder probe comes days after multiple people were arrested linked to the nearby A66 crash which killed seven people. Officers said the arrests were made as part of their efforts to clamp down on serious and organised crime.
The A66 crash claimed the lives of two officers, Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, along with the occupants of a VW Passat — Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jakub Matusiak.
According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the VW Passat was travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 when it hit the officers' patrol car, which was travelling in the right direction. The investigation into the fire remains ongoing.
