A 31-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a fatal house fire has been released with no further action, while a second suspect aged 23 remains in custody as the investigation proceeds.
Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece Valentina Foster, seven, died in the blaze on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Wednesday. A 48-year-old woman suffered critical injuries and was hospitalised, while three other people sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The fire prompted a joint investigation by Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, with the emergency services deploying significant resources to the scene. According to reports, six fire engines and the Incident Command Unit attended, with one engine remaining on proactive standby after the blaze was extinguished.
Natalie's mother, Lisa Kirton, paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as
a beautiful soul, who would have done anything for anybody. Valentina, known as Tina, had been staying at the house during the summer holidays.
She was a cute little kid, Kirton said.
I can't believe it, seven years old - it's just a disgrace.She recalled that Tina had been
dancing around the living roomthe night before the fire.
What is the status of the investigation?
Cleveland Police said enquiries remain ongoing following the release of the older suspect. The damaged property on Birchington Avenue remained structurally unstable, with work under way to make it safe for emergency access. According to police statements, investigators were keeping an open mind and could not rule out potential links to wider organised crime.
The force clarified that it was not currently linking the fire to a separate collision on the A66 in which seven people died, including two police officers. That incident occurred on Saturday, days after the house fire.
What happens next?
Cleveland Police said enquiries are ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact them, quoting reference 170941. Officers said they would maintain a high-visibility presence in the Grangetown area while the investigation continues, with police patrols increased to reassure the local community. Local police encouraged anyone with concerns or information to speak to officers.
Key Facts
- Two people died in the Grangetown house fire on Wednesday: Natalie McDonald, 34, and her seven-year-old niece Valentina Foster
- A 31-year-old man has been released with no further action; a 23-year-old remains in custody
- Five people were injured, including one woman in critical condition
- Police are keeping an open mind about potential links to organised crime
- The fire is not being linked to the separate A66 crash that killed seven people
