Child k-il-led alongside another victim in terrifying house fire as police probe suspected gangland revenge linked to A66 crash
A CHILD was among two people killed in a horrifying house fire in Middlesbrough, as fears grow the incident was a gangland revenge attack linked to the A66 crash tragedy.
Two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning.
Two people reportedly managed to escape the house with two missingCredit: NNP
The inferno is understood to be linked to the horror A66 crash which claimed seven lives, including two policemenCredit: NNP
Cleveland Police said it “cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time”.
Firearms officers were today standing guard at the scene in Grangetown, just a short distance from the smash that killed five “joyriders” and two police officers on Saturday.
Officers were called to the house fire at 5.23am on Wednesday and a woman, 48, remains in a critical condition after suffering injuries in the flames.
Three other people suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Armed police are believed to be at the scene of the fatal fire todayCredit: NNP
Fire investigators at the scene. So far, seventeen people have been arrested in connection with the A66 crashCredit: NNP
A cordon remains in place around the burned homeCredit: NNP
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.”
This comes after five youths – Michael Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-old Cole Worthy – died after driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway over the weekend.
They were trying to shake-off police after a high-speed pursuit when they headed towards oncoming traffic near Middlesbrough.
Police abandoned their pursuit, but 10 seconds later the youths’ VW Passat ploughed into an armed response unit.
Two firearms officers – married dad-of-two PC Matthew Blades, 37, and Iraq war hero PC Tom Clough, 38 – were killed instantly.
Cops believe the Passat gang were out looking for revenge after a home belonging to Worthy’s dad in the Acklam area was rammed twice by a Volvo XC60 minutes earlier.
It reversed twice into the front window at 3am on Saturday.
There is no suggestion the 17-year-old’s dad, Gye, 39, was involved in criminal activity.
But police believe it may have provided the flashpoint for the events that unfolded in the minutes leading up to the 3:39am crash.
There are now fears the latest incident could be linked to an explosion of gang warfare in Middlesbrough.
Cleveland Police previously arrested 17 people as part of its investigation into the crash.
Makai Saddington, 18, died in the crash, had previous convictions and was alleged to be pursuing a rival gang alongside his friends
Close friends Theo Rae, 17, (left) and Cole Worthy, 17, are understood to have been chasing a rival gang in the Passat when it crashedCredit: Facebook/Theo Rae
The street is just a couple of miles from the scene of Saturday’s crash on the A66.
Shocked residents said two people were missing, while two others had been able to escape from the house.
Jacob Matusiak, 23, had previous convictions and died in the crashCredit: Facebook/Jakub Hewitt
Michael Cahill, 23, who had no convictions, died in the crash which also killed two police officersCredit: Facebook/Michael Ray
One neighbour said: “Some people got out, and a few people did not. It’s tragic.”
A relative of the family who lived in the house, which has lost its roof in the blaze, also confirmed two people had escaped, while another two were missing.
Ciara Randle, 10, said: “I woke up to screaming, dogs barking and sirens, very early. The sun had only just come up.
“I told my mum as soon as we got up, and we realised there had been a fire. We’re very shocked.
“The fire had been put out by then, but there was smoke, and the house was smouldering.”
Ciara’s mum Theresa Randle, a 42-year-old carer, added: “We don’t know the people in the house very well, but we say hello to them.
“The poor family. We feel so sad for them.
“By the time we got up, the fire had been put out. We don’t know what happened.
Cops believe the Passat gang were out looking for revenge after the home belonging to Worthy’s dad, pictured, was rammed twice by a VolvoCredit: PA
A Volvo reversed twice into the Worthy’s dad’s front window at 3am on SaturdayCredit: Getty
“It’s a tragedy, especially so soon after the crash at the weekend.”
Cleveland Fire Brigade said it was called to the blaze at 5:23am this morning.
A spokesperson added: “Crews are currently dealing with the incident, with six fire engines and the Incident Command Unit at the scene.
“Road closures are in place in the surrounding area, and Cleveland Fire Brigade are asking members of the public to avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to work safely.
“The incident remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided when available.”
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “Birchington Avenue and Leighton Road in Grangetown is currently closed while officers and emergency services respond to a fire at the property.
“Please avoid the area and use alternative routes.”
Cleveland Police previously said that four of those killed in the vehicle – Worthy, Matusiak, Saddington and Rae – that hit the cop car had previous police convictions.
All four had appeared in court charged with a series of offences.
Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South BankCredit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
PC Matthew Blades’ wife paid a touching tribute to her husbandCredit: Cleveland Police
PC Tom Clough, a former soldier and Iraq war veteran, tragically died in the horror collisionCredit: PA
Floral tributes have been laid at Cleveland Police HQ for the two dead officersCredit: PA
Saddington pleaded guilty to possession of a Class C drug and a knife in May 2025 and months later admitted three offences of assaulting a police officer.
Meanwhile, Worthy admitted using threatening and abusive language to cause harassment, alarm and distress in October 2024.
In March, Matusiak admitted using a vehicle without insurance and driving without a licence.
While, Rae was convicted of assaulting a police officer, shoplifting, stealing cars, theft, drug possession and breaching a youth rehabilitation order.
Cops have also confirmed that nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested on suspicion of several offences in connection with the crash.
The alleged offences include possession of a firearm and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
A further five men, aged 16 to 55, were then arrested yesterday in connection with the crash – bringing the total to seventeen in custody.
Some of those arrested over the A66 investigation are suspected of “participating in the activities of an organised crime group” Cleveland Police added.
Cops are continuing to investigate the moments leading up to the fatal smash on Saturday with National Crime Agency officers joining the probe.
Two of those arrested, aged 19 and 26, have since appeared in court charged with possession of a firearm, drug dealing and possession of stolen property while a third has been recalled to prison.
