SHE WAS ONLY SEVEN: GRANGTOWN HORROR LEAVES CHILD DE-AD, HER AUNT KI-LLED AND WOMAN FIGHTING FOR LIFE AFTER HOUSE FIRE — TWO MEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MU-R-DER AS POLICE INVESTIGATE A TRAGEDY THAT HAS LEFT MIDDLESBROUGH REELING
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Two people were killed in a house fire in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
A woman is still fighting for her life after being injured in a house fire that killed two people, including a child, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough.
The 48-year-old woman remains in a “critical but stable condition” at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, while a 27-year-old man continues to receive treatment at James Cook University Hospital, Cleveland Police said in an update on Friday evening.
The force said two men, aged 23 and 31, who were arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday in connection with the blaze, remain in custody.
Officers were called to a fire at a house on Birchington Avenue at 5.23am on Wednesday. The blaze killed two people and left four others injured.
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Valentina Foster, seven, and her 34-year-old aunt, Natalie McDonald, have been named locally as the two people killed in the fire
In its update on Friday, Cleveland Police said two teenage girls have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
While the two people killed have yet to be formally identified, they have been named locally as seven-year-old Valentina Foster and her 34-year-old aunt, Natalie McDonald.
The force said: “Enquiries are ongoing in relation to the incident and whilst this continues, we would urge people not to speculate.”
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, Superintendent Emily Harrison, said: “Today we continue to investigate a house fire which has claimed the lives of two people; including one child.
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Tributes left near the scene on Birchington Avenue for the victims of the house fire(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
“We understand this will be difficult for the local community and would urge people not to speculate as this can be distressing for the families involved and it can impact upon the ongoing investigation. At this time, we are not linking this incident to the fatal collision on the A66.
“Our neighbourhood officers continue to have a high-visibility presence in the Grangetown area and we would encourage anyone who has concerns, or who may have information, to approach our officers or alternatively call us on 101.”
Anyone with information or concerns is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 170941. Individuals can also submit information online via the force’s Major Incident Public Portal.
Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
SOURCE: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/grangetown-house-fire-murders-middlesbrough-37605492
