Published 9 hours ago • loading... • Updated 2 hours ago
Man charged with murder over deadly house fire
Police say Jaden Wright faces two murder charges and four other counts after the fire left two people dead and four others injured.
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 were called to Birchington Avenue at 5:23am on August 26, discovering a blaze that officials described as a 'tragic incident' claiming both victims' lives while injuring four others.
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 will appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, while a 31-year-old man arrested in connection with the case was released without charge on Sunday.
Katie Nicolson, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, said prosecutors worked with Cleveland Police to establish sufficient evidence and warned that active proceedings require no reporting that could prejudice the trial.