Child useless in home hearth ‘homicide’ which ‘could also be linked’ to A66 gangland crash
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a devastating house fire in Grangetown left two people dead, including a child, as a woman fights for life and police probe possible organised crime links
Extensive damage is seen at the scene of a house fire on August 26, 2026 in Middlesbrough, England(Image: Getty Images)
A child is among two people killed in a house fire just two miles from the fatal A66 crash which claimed the lives of two police officers.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to a house fire at 5:23am morning (Wednesday 26th August), in the Grangetown area of Middlesbrough. Two people died, including one child but they have yet to be formally identified.
A 48-year-old woman remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle in a critical condition, and a further three people suffered injuries which are believed, at this time, to be non-life-threatening. Two men aged 23 and 31 have now been arrested on suspicion of murder and they remain in police custody at this time. Enquiries are ongoing.
Cleveland Police have launched a murder investigation(Image: Getty Images)
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.” Anyone who may have information, or any concerns, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 170941.
A firefighter attends the scene(Image: Getty Images)
Earlier today, Cleveland Police confirmed a murder investigation had been launched, the Daily Star previously reported. Officers were called to the house on Birchington Avenue at 5:23am.
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, Superintendent Emily Harrison, said at the time: “This is a tragic incident which has sadly resulted in the deaths of a number of people this morning, and their families are being supported by specially trained officers. We are working 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 as this investigation progresses, and to provide reassurance to local communities, who will no doubt be impacted by this tragic incident.”
The tragedy comes days after wo police officers and five men were killed in the head-on collision near Middlesbrough on Saturday morning (August 22).
Cleveland Police said a Volkswagen Passat was heading in the wrong direction on the dual-carriageway and hit a marked armed response vehicle.
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