A murder investigation has been launched after two people died in a house fire in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, with police keeping an open mind over a possible link to organised crime following Saturday’s fatal A66 crash, which killed five young people and two police officers.
Two people have died following a house fire in Middlesbrough, with police launching a murder investigation amid concerns it could be connected to Saturday’s A66 crash, which killed seven people including two police officers. Armed officers from Cleveland Police attended the scene in Grangetown, close to South Bank where the collision took place, after being called to the property on Birchington Avenue at 5.23am. The blaze destroyed the roof of the house, though the property itself did not collapse.
The fire and its victims
Alongside the two people confirmed dead, a further woman was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in a critical condition, while three other people were being treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Police said the scene had yet to be fully examined as investigations continued.
Paramedics, firefighters and gas engineers remained at the property on Birchington Avenue throughout the morning. A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Cleveland Fire Brigade was called at 5.23am this morning 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.” The spokesperson added: “Road closures are in place in the surrounding area, and we are asking members of the public to avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to work safely. The incident remains ongoing and further updates will be provided when available.”
Residents describe waking to the blaze
Local residents described waking to the sound of the fire in the early hours. Ten-year-old Ciara Randle, who lives nearby and spoke with her mother’s permission, said: “I woke up to screaming, dogs barking and sirens, very early. The sun had only just come up. I told my mum as soon as we got up. We realised there had been a fire. We’re very shocked. The fire had been put out by then, but there was smoke, and the house was smouldering.”
Her mother, Theresa Randle, 42, a carer, added: “We don’t know the people in the house very well, but we say hello to them. The poor family. We feel so sad for them. By the time we got up, the fire had been put out. We don’t know what happened. It’s a tragedy, especially so soon after the crash at the weekend.” Other shocked residents said some occupants of the house had managed to escape the fire, with one telling reporters: “Some people got out, and a few people did not. It’s tragic.”
Police response
Officers confirmed the families of those who died have been informed, adding that their “thoughts are with them and the families of everyone involved in this incident at this extremely difficult time.”
Superintendent Emily Harrison, Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, 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.” She added: “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.”
Harrison confirmed a continued police presence in the area while the investigation progresses. “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 appealed for anyone with information to come forward: “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, or Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Background: the A66 crash
The fire comes just two days after a fatal collision on the A66 involving a Volkswagen Passat, which was travelling the wrong way down the dual carriageway, and a marked armed response vehicle. PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were the two police officers killed in that crash.
Those travelling in the Passat, Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, were pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, the Passat had been pursued by officers following an earlier incident in which a house in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough, linked to Worthy, was rammed by a vehicle. The pursuit was subsequently aborted when the Passat turned the wrong way onto the A66, shortly before the fatal collision.
Separately, police have arrested 17 people in connection with the A66 crash as their investigation into the circumstances surrounding it continues.
