A child is one of two people who died in a house fire near Middlesbrough less than a mile from the site of a crash on the A66 which killed seven people, police have said.
Cleveland Police said two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and they remain in police custody following the blaze at an end-of-terrace property in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown.
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.
The force said that 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.
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, Superintendent Emily Harrison, said: “As we continue to investigate this morning’s tragic incident, we continue to support the families of those who have sadly died as a result.
“Our thoughts remain with those families and with everyone involved.
“Two men, aged 23 and 31, remain in police custody at this time and they are being questioned.”
The force have not ruled out a link between the blaze and the crash which killed two police officers and five young men.
Ms Harrison added: “We continue to work 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 and encourage anyone who has concerns, or who may have information, to approach our officers or alternatively call us on 101.”
More to follow...
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