Fatal Grangetown house fire: one murder suspect released, second still held

A 31-year-old man arrested over a deadly Grangetown blaze has been freed with no further action. A 23-year-old remains in custody over the fire that killed a woman and her seven-year-old niece.

One suspect freed after fatal Grangetown blaze, second questioned over double killing

A 31-year-old man held on suspicion of murder following a fatal house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, has been released with no further action, BBC News reports. A second man, aged 23, continues to be questioned by Cleveland Police in connection with the blaze.

Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece Valentina Foster, seven, died in the fire in the early hours of Wednesday. A 48-year-old woman was left in a critical condition in hospital, while three others sustained injuries not considered life-threatening.

Valentina, known as Tina, had been staying at the house during the summer holidays. Her grandmother, Lisa Kirton, said she had been "dancing around the living room" only the previous night. Kirton also described McDonald as "a beautiful soul, who would have done anything for anybody."

"She was a cute little kid," Kirton said of Valentina. "I can't believe it, seven years old — it's just a disgrace."

Cleveland Police ACC Dave Sutherland confirmed on Friday afternoon that the force is not currently linking the house fire to a separate crash on the A66, in which seven people died, including two police officers. Enquiries into the fire remain ongoing.

Source: BBC News