Cars torched as balloon launch for man killed in A66 horror crash descends into chaos
Cars have been set on fire in a field as balloons were released at a memorial event thought to be for Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 crash, as Teesside is gripped by gangland fear
Residents in the Haswell area of County Durham were left shocked this evening after cars were set on fire at a Balloon Release for one of the occupants of the VW Passat involved in the fatal collision on the A66 in Middlesbrough.(Image: Ashley Ferguson)
Gang violence has erupted in County Durham with shocking footage showing cars set on fire in a field as balloons were released at a memorial event.
The event was thought to be for Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 crash.
Police are responding to multiple incidents across Teesside on Thursday night, August 27, as violence and criminal activity intensifies in the area, linked to criminal gangs.
The town is in the grip of terror over a believed gangland turf war that has taken nine lives in five days following the deaths of seven people, including two police officers, in a crash on the A66 at the weekend.
Footage shared on social media shows rows of cars on fire(Image: Instagram)
Video footage circulated online shows several cars ablaze in a field as balloons are released at a memorial service, believed to be for Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who died in the fatal collision.
Officers have been spotted attending numerous incidents throughout the area after 200 police officers, including armed response teams were drafted in from other regions to assist Cleveland Police.
It comes after two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people died in a house fire including a child, police have confirmed.
The blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, broke out just before 05:30 BST and also left a 48-year-old woman in hospital in a critical condition, alongside a further three people who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the fire which took the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster, as well as injuring four others. Cleveland Police is trying to establish whether the A66 crash was linked to the fire in Birchington Avenue.
Ms McDonald’s devastated brother Josh Kirton told reporters: “My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the (crash on the) A66. That’s what makes this so senseless.
“People think they can do whatever they like. There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone.”
Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said on social media: “Thank you so much to the superintendent from Cleveland Police that has just taken their time to give updates to myself, Anna Turley (MP for Redcar), South Bank and Grangetown Ward councillors.
The event was thought to be a memorial for Michael Robert Cahill, 23, one of the five men who were killed travelling the wrong way down the A66 in a Volkswagen Passat (Image: Instagram)
“They are working 20-hour days to ensure the ongoing safety of innocent residents. Over 200 extra police officers from forces around the country are here and are en route, from detectives to armed response.
“I will be sending a letter today to our Prime Minister asking for even more resource. The police really are doing an amazing job.
“If it is any reassurance at all, jobs called in to the police are actually down this week, however, the seriousness of the ones that have been called in need serious and swift action.
“Everyone is heartbroken over the loss of the aunt and little girl in Grangetown yesterday. People need to feel safe in their homes.”
