Two Missing After Huge House Fire as Police Probe Possible Gangland Link to Deadly A66 Crash
Two people are feared dead after a devastating house fire in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, with police investigating whether the blaze could be connected to the deadly A66 crash that killed seven people just days earlier.
Two people feared trapped inside
Emergency crews were called to a property on Birchington Avenue shortly after dawn on Wednesday, August 26, after fire tore through the home.
Two people are understood to have escaped the property, while two others remain missing and are feared to have died.
The blaze destroyed much of the house, with the roof left severely damaged. Police firearms officers were also present as investigators worked at the scene.
One neighbour described the aftermath as deeply distressing.
“Some people got out, and a few people did not. It’s tragic,” they said.
Ten-year-old Ciara Randle told how she woke to the sound of screaming, barking dogs and emergency sirens shortly after sunrise.
Her mother, 42-year-old carer Theresa Randle, said the family did not know the occupants well but felt devastated by what had happened, particularly so soon after the weekend’s fatal crash.
Cleveland Fire Brigade said crews were called at 5:23am. Six fire engines and an Incident Command Unit attended, while surrounding roads were closed to allow emergency services to work safely.
Police examine possible connection to A66 tragedy
The fire comes only days after a horrific collision on the A66 that claimed seven lives — including two police officers and five young men travelling in a Volkswagen Passat.
The five youths were identified as Michael Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Worthy, 17.
Police said the Passat had been travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway after the group was involved in a high-speed pursuit near Middlesbrough.
Officers abandoned the chase, but about 10 seconds later the Passat collided with an armed response vehicle.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, a married father of two, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who had served in the Iraq War, were killed instantly.
Investigators believe the events leading to the crash may have begun with an earlier incident involving Worthy’s family home.
Police believe a Volvo XC60 rammed the house belonging to Worthy’s father, Gye, 39, twice at around 3am on Saturday.
The vehicle reportedly reversed into the front window on two occasions.
There is no suggestion that Gye Worthy was involved in criminal activity. However, detectives believe the incident may have triggered the chain of events that unfolded before the fatal crash.
Fears of escalating gang violence
The latest fire has raised concerns about whether tensions between rival groups in Middlesbrough could be escalating.
Police, fire crews, ambulance services and Northern Gas Networks remained at the Birchington Avenue scene as investigations continued.
Cleveland Police confirmed that Birchington Avenue and Leighton Road in Grangetown were closed while emergency services dealt with the blaze.
The force urged members of the public to stay away from the area and use alternative routes.
Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the A66 collision, with the National Crime Agency assisting Cleveland Police.
Seventeen people arrested
The investigation into the A66 crash has already resulted in 17 arrests.
Police said nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, had initially been arrested on suspicion of offences including firearms possession and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
A further five men, aged between 16 and 55, were arrested on Tuesday, bringing the total to 17.
Two of those arrested — aged 19 and 26 — have since appeared in court facing allegations including possession of a firearm, drug dealing and possession of stolen property. A third person was recalled to prison.
Police said some of those detained are suspected of involvement with an organised crime group.
The five young men killed
Four of the five men travelling in the Passat — Worthy, Matusiak, Saddington and Rae — had previous convictions, according to Cleveland Police.
Saddington had pleaded guilty in May 2025 to possessing a Class C drug and a knife. Months later, he admitted three offences involving assaults on police officers.
Worthy admitted using threatening and abusive language intended to cause harassment, alarm or distress in October 2024.
Matusiak admitted driving without a licence and using a vehicle without insurance in March.
Rae had convictions involving assaulting a police officer, shoplifting, car theft, theft, drug possession and breaching a youth rehabilitation order.
Michael Cahill, 23, had no previous convictions.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal journey remain under investigation.
For now, detectives are also working to establish exactly what happened inside the Birchington Avenue property and whether the devastating fire was connected in any way to the violence surrounding the A66 crash.
Authorities have not confirmed that the house fire was a gangland revenge attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.