(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
A woman has described the moment residents tried to rescue neighbours from a Teesside house fire that killed two people.
A murder investigation has been launched after the fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown in the early hours of Wednesday (August 26).
Four others were left in hospital, including one in a critical condition.
Police have said they cannot rule out the blaze being linked to the horror smash on the A66 which killed seven, including two police officers, or "wider organised crime at this time”.
Ellie, 20, said she ran towards the property on Birchington Avenue after hearing what was happening.
She said: “I ran down the road screaming. I have lost my voice now.
"The entire house was scorching. I couldn’t get near the front of the house it was that hot.”
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
She stayed a woman who had jumped from an upstairs window, holding her hand until paramedics arrived.
“She was crying,” Ellie said.
Ellie said she was “just praying for the family” and believed a child was one of the casualties.
Floral tributes at the scene of a major residential fire on Birchington Avenue, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough
(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
She said residents rushed to help as the blaze took hold, adding: “I’m so proud of everyone on these roads."
Ellie said she did not believe the incident was gang-related.
“People say what they like about Grangetown,” she added.
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
The fire broke out just before 5.30am.
A woman remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in a critical condition, while three others suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Other residents nearby were hesitant to speak as the investigation continued.
One told the Echo: “It’s just horrible, we were all in bed when it happened.”
Others described it as a “tragic incident for the area”.
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, added: “My daughter heard shouting and screaming this morning.
“The dogs were barking.”
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
The neighbour said a family lived at the property, adding: “I don’t know the people who live there, we just say hello when we walk past.”
The blaze happened about two miles from the scene of the A66 crash at South Bank.
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.”
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.”
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
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(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Cleveland Fire Brigade sent six fire engines to the scene.
Emergency services at the scene of a major residential fire on Birchington Avenue, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Road closures were put in place in the surrounding area and people were asked to avoid the area where possible.
Redcar & Cleveland councillor for Grangetown Adam Brook described the fire as “absolutely devastating” and urged people not to speculate or “share unconfirmed information”.