A murder investigation has been launched after a house fire in Middlesbrough resulted in the deaths of two people. Police have stated they are not ruling out links to organised crime.
Cleveland police were called at 5.23am on Wednesday to reports of a house fire in the Grangetown area. Two individuals died in the blaze, and a woman is currently in hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition. Three other people sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving hospital treatment.
Supt Emily Harrison, Redcar and Cleveland’s local policing commander, said police are working to establish the circumstances and are keeping an open mind regarding potential links to wider organised crime. The fire occurred approximately two miles from the scene of a collision on the A66 on Saturday, which killed seven people, including two police officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox described the overall investigation as fast-moving and complex, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity. Cleveland police have made 17 arrests in efforts to disrupt those suspected of involvement in serious and organised crime.