Grangetown house fire and fatal A66 crash are not linked

The clarification comes after a week of tragedy for Cleveland Police and communities across the region.

Seven people, including serving police officers PC Mathew Blades and PC Tom Clough, died in the A66 crash in South Bank last Saturday morning.

A further two people, seven-year-old Valentina Foster and Natalie McDonald, 34, lost their lives in a house fire in Grangetown on Wednesday.

ACC Dave Sutherland, Head of Local Policing, said the force was not currently linking the two incidents.

He said: “Since the tragic incident last Saturday morning in which seven people, including two of our serving police officers, PC Mathew Blades and PC Tom Clough, sadly lost their lives, officers and staff have remained working around the clock to continue to serve the public of Cleveland.

“In the same week, we have also seen a tragic house fire on Wednesday in which two people lost their lives, which is also understandably impacting the force and our local communities. At this time, we are not linking this incident to the fatal collision on the A66.”

The comments come as the level of violence across Cleveland has faced intense national scrutiny.

Police have also been dealing with a number of serious offences across the area.

Police at the scene of the crash on the A66. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A total of 17 people have been arrested over offences ranging from firearm possession to organised-crime-group activity, linked to the events that led up to the fatal crash.

Two more men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the fatal house fire.

At 11am police officers held a minutes silence for the two officers killed on the A66 while guarding the scene of a house fire on Birchington Avenue where two people were killed. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

But ACC Sutherland stressed that officers remain focused on keeping communities safe despite the pressure on the force.

He said: “Brave officers face significant challenges day in day out, but I want to reassure the public that we will remain unwavering in our efforts to tackle criminals and protect our communities. Despite these challenges, calls for service to the force are being answered effectively, we are deploying to incidents, and investigating crime as we do every day.”

Extra officers have also been drafted in from other forces, alongside support from the National Crime Agency.

More than 200 have been drafted in to help police maintain a visible presence in the area, where locals are concerned.

ACC Sutherland said the additional resources were helping Cleveland Police maintain its service while continuing patrols in areas most affected by violence.

He added: “It’s important to acknowledge the support and additional resource we are receiving from a number of other forces in the northern region and beyond, and also from the National Crime Agency. This support not only means we can maintain our service to the public, but also continue to conduct patrols in the areas most affected and be a visible presence should anyone wish to speak to officers with any concerns.”

He also paid tribute to the public for the support shown to officers, staff and the families of PC Blades and PC Clough following the fatal collision.

He said: “Lastly, I want to thank the general public. Our officers work closely with many corners of our communities on a daily basis to tackle issues in their local neighbourhoods, and whose support these past seven days has been overwhelming and very much appreciated.

“It has provided officers, staff and the families of the officers with great comfort.”

Anna Turley, Redcar MP, said not every incident police attend was linked to the investigation into organised crime.

She said: “I think it’s really important to get across the fact that these incidents are not all linked.

“It could feel that way at the moment because of the national spotlight on us, but unfortunately, we know we’ve had a high level of crime and in this area for a long time now, these are incidents, sadly, that we see all the time.

“It shouldn’t be this way, and it’s up to us to make sure that there isn’t a business as usual which sees that high level of crime and disorder going forward.

“But Cleveland Police have been at pains to say we shouldn’t think that these are all connected, and we shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions.”