A murder investigation has been launched by Cleveland Police after two people died in a house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, on Wednesday morning.

Emergency services were called to a property on Birchington Avenue shortly after five o’clock, with seven fire engines arriving on scene alongside police just before six o’clock. Both Birchington Avenue and Leighton Road were subsequently closed as crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

Two people were confirmed dead at the address, while four others suffered injuries and were taken to James Cook University Hospital for treatment. One woman remains in a critical condition at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, while three other people are receiving treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

Cleveland Police confirmed that the scene has yet to be fully examined and that relatives have been notified. In an official statement, the force said: "The families of those people have been informed, and our thoughts are with them and the families of everyone involved in this incident at this extremely difficult time."

Superintendent Emily Harrison, the Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, said officers are working to establish the circumstances of what happened and are keeping an open mind regarding potential links to wider organised crime. She added that specially trained officers are supporting the bereaved families and that a high-visibility police presence will remain in Grangetown to reassure the local community.

The fire occurred roughly two miles from the scene of a fatal collision on the A66 on Saturday morning, in which seven people died. In that incident, Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the dual carriageway struck their marked armed response vehicle. All five young men travelling in the Passat also died.

Police had previously indicated that the five young men in the vehicle may have had links to serious and organised criminal activity, having been involved in a pursuit involving cloned number plates shortly before the crash. However, Cleveland Police are treating the A66 collision as a separate investigation, and at this stage, officers have not confirmed any direct connection between the fatal fire and the crash.

Detectives are continuing their enquiries into the fire and have urged anyone who may have information or concerns to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 170941, speak directly to officers in the area, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

The investigation remains active, and further details are expected as forensic and investigative work continues. I'll be following this one.