A murder investigation has been launched after two people died in a house fire.
The blaze in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, broke out just before 05:30 BST and also left a woman in hospital in a critical condition, alongside a further three people who suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Cleveland Police said it was investigating what had happened but was “keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time”.
The fire happened about two miles from the A66 crash that killed five young men and two police officers on Saturday morning.
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander Supt Emily Harrison said the force was working to “establish the circumstances of exactly what has happened”.
“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.”
Patrols have been increased in the local area to “reassure the local community”, the force said.
