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Man charged with murder over deadly house fire
Cleveland Police said the suspect faces two murder counts and four grievous bodily harm charges after the blaze killed a child and her aunt.
On Tuesday, Cleveland Police charged a 23-year-old man with two counts of murder and four counts of grievous bodily harm following the August 26 house fire in Grangetown that killed Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece, Valentina Foster.
Officers responded to the blaze at Birchington Avenue in Grangetown at 5:23am on August 26, describing the event as a "tragic incident" that claimed both victims' lives.
A 48-year-old woman remains in "critical but stable" condition at Royal Victoria Infirmary, while a 27-year-old man receives treatment at James Cook University hospital; two teenage girls have been discharged.
The defendant is scheduled to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, while a 31-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation was released without charge on Sunday.
Nicolson, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, stated prosecutors worked closely with police to establish sufficient evidence for trial, emphasizing that proceedings are active and require no reporting that could prejudice the case.