Child among two dead in Middlesbrough house fire as police make murder arrests

A child is among two people who were killed in a house fire in Middlesbrough as police have made two murder arrests.

Cleveland Police was called to the house fire at 5.23am on Wednesday (Aug 26) - just two miles away from the horror crash which claimed the lives of seven people, including two police officers, at the weekend.

The force said two men, aged 31 and 23, have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the house fire.

Two people died, including one child, a 48-year-old woman is in a critical condition in hospital and a further three people suffered injuries which are believed to be non life-threatening.

Superintendent Emily Harrison, from Cleveland Police, 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.

Emergency services at the scene as a murder investigation has been launched after two people died in a house fire at a property on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown near Middlesbrough.

“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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 170941. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.