“WHY YOU? YOU’RE JUST A BABY”: FAMILY’S HEARTBREAK AS GIRL, 7, AND AUNT D-IE IN HORRIFIC HOUSE FIRE
A GRIEVING relative of young fire-bombing victim Valentina Foster has said: “Why you? You’re just a baby.”
The seven-year-old girl had been staying at the home of aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, who also died in Wednesday’s blaze.
Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, diedCredit: Facebook
Valentina was killed in the house fire while staying with her auntCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Cops fear the fire in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, was part of a revenge attack following the wrong-way car crash that killed five youths and two cops on Saturday.
Two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the fire and remain in custody.
Earlier police said they “were keeping an open mind and cannot rule out links to organised crime”.
Valentina’s distraught gran Valerie Foster, seen hugging the youngster in a family photo, said: “Life is so cruel. My beautiful granddaughter, Valentina.”
A teenage relative of Valentina’s had posted tributes to one of the five youths who diedCredit: Facebook
The inferno is understood to be linked to the horror A66 crash which claimed seven lives, including two policemenCredit: NNP
Valerie Foster talks about her granddaughter Valentina who died in a fireCredit: Facebook Valerie Foster
Relative Sarah Harland-Foster added: “Why, why, why? All I keep telling myself. My heart’s absolutely torn to bits. Back in the arms of your dad my beautiful girl.”
Billie-Jo Foster said: “Aw my Valentina. How? Why you? Your (sic) just a baby.”
Valentina’s uncle Dean Foster wrote: “Such a beautiful baby girl. Life can be so cruel.”
Meanwhile, Natalie’s mum Lisa Kirton told the BBC that Valentina, known as Tina, had been staying with the family over the school holidays.
She said Natalie “had a heart of gold who would give anyone anything. We’re still in the hospital with the daughter. “
The 15-year-old and her friend “kicked out a window” and jumped to safety, Lisa said.
She continued: “Her father died two years ago so this child is not in a good way.”
Speaking to The Times, Lisa added: “Natalie’s husband is in intensive care and has been put in an induced coma.
“There is speculation that the fire was caused on purpose but I don’t really know much about what happened.”
A male teenage relative of Valentina had posted tributes to one of the youths killed in Saturday’s car crash on the A66.
The lad, who we are not naming, shared a photo with Jakub Matusiak, 23, and wrote: “Till we meet again Tuz.” He also posted details of Matusiak’s September 4 funeral.
Michael Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Worthy, 17, were the other youths killed in the head-on crash with a police car. Firearms officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died instantly.
Armed cops guarded the fire-hit property as an underworld war burst into the open. Firefighters raced to the address after the alarm was raised at 5.23am and began tackling flames billowing from upstairs windows.
A woman, 48 was pulled from the fire and taken to hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne in a critical condition.
Three others were hurt, including one who jumped from an upstairs window.
Their injuries are not said to be life-threatening.
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
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
Aerial images showed the house’s charred roof beams and blackened windows as cops fought to contain the street violence.
Witness Ellie, 20, who declined to give her surname, said: “I could hear kids screaming and was shouting for people to help. The house was scorching. I couldn’t get near the front it was that hot. Two kids got out from upstairs.”
Ellie stayed with the woman who leapt to safety from upstairs. Ellie added: “She was crying, in pain and in a bad way.”
Another witness who did not wish to be named said: “I saw the girl being carried by a firefighter.”
The families of those involved are being supported by family liaison officers.
Council leader Alec Brown said: “There are no words for the loss of a child. As a parent, my heart goes out to those impacted by this tragedy in Grangetown.
“I have asked for an urgent community safety briefing. There are people badly injured with two lost, including a seven-year-old.
“I sincerely hope those responsible are hunted down and brought to justice as soon as possible.”
Deputy mayor Adam Brook added: “I am absolutely devastated to learn that two people have tragically lost their lives.
“Behind today’s headlines are two people who were part of our community, and families who are now facing an unimaginable loss.
A Volvo reversed twice into the Worthy’s dad’s front window at 3am on SaturdayCredit: Getty
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
“My thoughts are also with those who remain in hospital, and with their families and loved ones at what will be an incredibly worrying and difficult time.”
After Saturday’s crash, Cleveland Police issued a Section 60 Order giving officers additional stop-and-search powers amid fears gang violence would erupt.
They have since made 17 arrests as part of a “fast-moving and complex” investigation.
The 17 — 14 men and three women aged 16 to 61 — were held for a variety of offences, including the participation in organised crime gangs.
Two have since appeared in court charged with possession of a firearm, drug dealing and possession of stolen property. A third has been recalled to prison.
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.
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.
Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South BankCredit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
PC Tom Clough, a former soldier and Iraq war veteran, tragically died in the horror collisionCredit: PA
PC Matthew Blades’ wife paid a touching tribute to her husbandCredit: Cleveland Police
Floral tributes have been laid at Cleveland Police HQ for the two dead officersCredit: PA
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.
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.
Superintendent Emily Harrison said of the fire: “This is a tragic incident which has sadly resulted in the deaths of a number of people.
“We are working 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 as this investigation progresses, and to provide reassurance to local communities, who will no doubt be impacted by this tragic incident.”
Social media giants have been ordered to delete twisted videos showing high-speed police chases and youths goading cops.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said it was shocking that videos glorifying dangerous driving could be accessed so easily.
She has given the likes of Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube until September 3 to respond.
