Floral tributes has been left at the scene of a Grangetown house fire which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt.
Emergency services were called to a property on Birchington Avenue, at 5.23am on Wednesday (August 26) following a fire.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said "all of the support will be provided to get to the heart of what has happened" after the "utterly devastating" fatal house fire.
People lay flowers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning.
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Floral tributes read: "RIP Valentina, gone too soon, always missed."
Another said: "Now she dances with butterflies, Valentina." Others read: "RIP Natalie, life and soul of the party!"
Valentina Foster, seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, have been named locally as the two victims who died following a house fire in Grangetown.
(Image: Provided)
"Nat, will always be in my thoughts you were the party girl going to be sadly missed RIP."
"Valentina, what a lovely young girl so sad RIP." "Fly high little angel."
This comes as heartfelt tributes to the two victims are being shared across social media, with Natalie's mother, Lisa Kirton, remembering her daughter as "a beautiful, bubbly person who everyone knew".
Flowers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning.
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
She said: "She had a heart of gold who would give anyone anything. She left behind a daughter with no parents.
Lisa also spoke of Valentina, calling her "one of the family".
"She had been staying at the house for the school summer holidays," she said. "She was a cute little kid. I can't believe it, seven years old - it's just a disgrace."
The scene of the house fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Valentina's grandmother also paid tribute online, writing: "Life is so cruel, my beautiful granddaughter Valentina. Your dad will be waiting for you."
Lisa said Natalie's 15-year-old daughter and a friend, who were also in the house at the time, had managed to escape through an upstairs window.
The friend, she said, had "kicked out a window" to "save their lives."
Flowers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning.
(Image: OWEN HUMPHRIES)
Cleveland Fire Brigade said it had sent six fire engines and the Incident Command Unit in response - confirming at 1.30pm that the fire had been extinguished.
Cleveland Police has since confirmed that two men, aged 23 and 31,have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the house fire. Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.
The incident is now being jointly investigated by the fire service and Cleveland Police.
Flowers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning.
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander Supt Emily Harrison said the force was working to "establish the circumstances of exactly what has happened".
"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."
The families of the people involved have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Police officers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning.
(Image: OWEN HUMPHRIES)
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Flowers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning.
(Image: OWEN HUMPHRIES)
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."
Anyone with information, or concerns, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 170941.