(Image: NORTH NEWS/ PA)
A child and an adult have died in a fire and two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder just days after a horror smash killed seven people.
The fire happened less than two miles from the scene of Saturday's fatal A66 crash, which killed PCs Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, and five men travelling in a Volkswagen Passat.
Police have said they are keeping an open mind and cannot rule out a link between the two incidents or "wider organised crime at this time".
Here is everything we know so far.
Here is everything we know so far.
The Grangetown fire
Emergency services were called to Birchington Avenue in Grangetown, just before 5.30am today (Wednesday, August 26).
Police said six people were believed to be inside the home at the time of the fire.
It was later confirmed that two people, one child and one adult, had died. Four more people were taken to hospital, three with non-life-threatening injuries, while one 48-year-old woman remains in the RVI in a critical condition.
Floral tributes at the scene of a major residential fire on Birchington Avenue, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough
(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and they remain in police custody.
The blaze caused major damage to the residential property, and roads around the scene were cordoned off as people were urged to stay away while emergency services worked.
The scale of the fire left residents desperately trying to help those trapped inside.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
One neighbour, who gave her name as Ellie, aged 20, said she ran towards the property after hearing what had happened.
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.”
Ellie stayed with a woman who had jumped from an upstairs window, holding her hand until paramedics arrived, adding: “She was crying."
She said she was “just praying for the family” and believed a child was one of the casualties.
Ellie also praised residents who rushed to help as the blaze took hold.
She said: “I’m so proud of everyone on these roads," adding she did not believe the incident was gang-related. "People say what they like about Grangetown,” she added.
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
Other residents described the shock of waking to the fire. One told The Northern 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, said: “My daughter heard shouting and screaming this morning. The dogs were barking.”
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.”
Why is a possible link being investigated?
The fire happened less than two miles from the scene of Saturday’s fatal A66 crash at South Bank.
Police have warned they cannot rule out a link between the fire and the fatal A66 crash, or "wider organised crime at this time".
Seven people died in the collision. They were PCs Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, along with five people travelling in a Volkswagen Passat.
PC Blades and PC Clough
(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
A fundraiser set up for the families of the two officers has now reached one million pounds, you can support it here.
The five in the Passat have been named as Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, and Jacob Matusiak, 23.
The Passat, understood to have been using cloned plates, was travelling the wrong way along the A66 before it crashed head-on into a marked police armed response vehicle at about 3.39am on Saturday, August 22.
From left to right: Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Michael Robert Cahill, 23.
(Image: SOCIAL MEDIA)
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is continuing to investigate.
What led up to the A66 crash?
Police said they received reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously in the early hours of August 22.
One was believed to be a Volvo XC60, which was seen ramming properties in Middlesbrough.
The second was the Volkswagen Passat, which police said was believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo.
Both vehicles were operating with cloned number plates. The Volvo was later traced and recovered in Middlesbrough.
A house in Ruskin Avenue, Middlesbrough, after being rammed by a car, which deliberately reversed into the front window, causing extensive damage.
(Image: OWEN HUMPHRIES/ PA WIRE)
A house in Ruskin Avenue, Acklam, linked to Gye Worthy, the father of Cole Worthy who died in the crash, was rammed at about 3am according to neighbours.
The property suffered extensive damage, including a collapsed front bay window, smashed windows and a damaged front door.
At 3.36am, the Passat was captured on CCTV travelling between 80mph and 100mph along Lime Road in Teesville. It was pursued by three police vehicles.
At 3.39am, the Passat turned the wrong way up the A66, the police pursuit was subsequently called off.
Scene of the crash on the A66
(Image: NORTH NEWS)
Ten seconds later, the Passat crashed into the armed response vehicle, which was travelling in the right direction on the A66.
PCs Blades and Clough and all five occupants of the Passat were killed.
Police have previously said the five men in the Passat may have had links to “serious and organised criminal activity”.
What have police said about the fire?
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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.
“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.”
17 arrests made in connection to A66 crash
Seventeen people have so far been arrested in connection with the events leading up to the crash. Two people have been charged.
The arrests relate to a range of alleged offences, including suspected organised crime activity, firearms offences, drugs offences, criminal damage, assisting an offender and threats to kill.
The latest five arrests were made on Tuesday, August 25, with assistance from the National Crime Agency and North East Regional Organised Crime Unit.
- Boy, 16 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group. He remains in police custody.
- Man, 18 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group. He remains in police custody.
- Man, 21 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group. He remains in police custody.
- Man, 55 : Arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. He remains in police custody.
- Man, 23 : Arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill. He remains in police custody.
The first 12 arrests were announced on Monday, August 24.
- Man, 24 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been released on conditional bail.
- CHARGED - Kai Beattie, 19 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and released on conditional bail for that offence. He was later charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 25.
- Woman, 30 : Arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been released on conditional bail.
- Man, 35 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been released on conditional bail.
- Man, 21 : Arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. He has been released on conditional bail and remanded on recall to prison.
- Man, 20 : Arrested on suspicion of threats to cause criminal damage and public order. He remains in police custody.
- Woman, 61 : Arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate. She has been released on conditional bail.
- Woman, 47 : Arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs. She has been released on conditional bail.
- Man, 18 : Arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs. He has been released on unconditional bail.
- Man, 39 : Arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs. He has been released on conditional bail.
- CHARGED - Cameron George, 26 : Arrested and subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Teesside Crown Court on September 21.
- Man, 39 : Arrested on suspicion of threats to kill. He has been released on conditional bail.
What happens next?
Police are continuing to investigate both incidents.
A high visibility policing presence will remain in Grangetown as officers work to establish exactly what happened.
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
Inquests into the deaths of PCs Blades and Clough are due to open at Teesside Coroner’s Court at 10am on Thursday, August 27.
The other five, who were in the Passat, are set to open on the same day.
Tributes after A66 tragedy
Tributes have been pouring in for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough following the A66 crash.
Police officers look at flowers at the Cleveland Police HQ in Middlesbrough, following the line-of-duty deaths of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough who died when a car going in the wrong direction hit a police car on the A66 near Middlesbrough. Picture
(Image: Owen Humphreys)
PC Blades, 37, was remembered not only as a dedicated officer but as a husband, father, football coach and former teacher.
His wife described him as her “beloved husband”, “best friend” and “the most devoted father to our two young boys”.
PC Matthew Blades
(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
FC Hartlepool, where he coached his son's team, said he was “a role model, a mentor, a friend” and someone the children looked up to.
Before joining Cleveland Police, PC Blades was an English teacher at Carmel College in Darlington, where he was remembered as "an intelligent, kind and approachable teacher".
His former school described him as a “much-loved and highly valued member of staff”.
PC Tom Clough, 38, was also remembered for a life dedicated to public service. He had previously served with British Transport Police and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, as well as serving in the Army.
(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
READ MORE:
- Tributes continue to pour in for 'hero' police officers who were killed in A66 crash
- Inquests into deaths of 'hero' police officers and man in A66 crash to open this week
- Police not ruling out link between A66 crash and fatal house fire killing two people
His family described him as “our hero with a fantastic sense of humour” who “jumped into action whenever needed” and was “willing to help anyone for any reason”.
Former colleagues remembered Tom as a highly respected officer, with one describing him as the “epitome of professionalism” while praising his dedication and commitment.
Flowers, balloons and heartfelt messages have been left at the A66 crash scene and at Cleveland Police headquarters as colleagues, friends and members of the public pay tribute to the two officers.