Man charged with double murder after house fire kills girl, 7, and aunt in Grangetown

Jaden Wright, 23, appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of murder after a fatal blaze on Birchington Avenue. Two women died; four others were injured.

Murder charges after fatal Grangetown house fire

Jaden Wright, 23, appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with two counts of murder following a house fire in Grangetown that claimed the lives of a seven-year-old girl and her aunt, the Daily Express reports.

The blaze broke out at a property on Birchington Avenue at 5.23am on 26 August. Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece Valentina Foster both died as a result. Four other people sustained injuries in the incident.

Wright, who appeared in court dressed in a grey T-shirt and grey trousers, faces two counts of murder alongside two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He spoke only to greet his solicitor, Helen Jones, as he entered the dock, according to the Mirror.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Teesside Crown Court on Thursday.

Katie Smith, senior investigating officer from Northumbria Police, described the incident as "truly tragic". "My thoughts remain with the families of all those involved," she said, adding that she wished to thank local residents for their support and patience throughout the investigation. Smith asked anyone with relevant information to submit it via the Major Incident Public Portal.

A 31-year-old man, also arrested in connection with the case, was released without charge on Sunday.

Police confirmed on Friday that a 48-year-old woman remained in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in a critical but stable condition, while a 27-year-old man was receiving treatment at James Cook University Hospital. Two teenage girls were discharged after sustaining non life-threatening injuries.

Source: Daily Express