The brother of a woman who died in a house fire which also killed a seven-year-old girl has said she was not associated with gangs.
Investigations were continuing into the blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, which was only a mile away from the scene of a head-on collision which killed two police officers and five young men on Saturday.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the fire which took the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster, as well as injuring four others.
Cleveland Police is trying to establish whether the A66 crash was linked to the fire in Birchington Avenue.
Ms McDonald’s devastated brother Josh Kirton told reporters: “My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the (crash on the) A66.
“That’s what makes this so senseless.
“People think they can do whatever they like.
“There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone.”
Tributes have been left outside the house, with a photo of the pair left among the bouquets and toys with the words: “RIP Natalie and Valentina you will be missed.”
A Care Bear toy was left, along with a teddy bear and a note which said: “Now she dances with butterflies Valentina.”
Another message said: “Valentina what a lovely young girl, so sad, RIP.”
Meanwhile, police continued to investigate why a property on Steele Crescent, South Bank, was rammed in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Local policing Superintendent Emily Harrison said: “The property was empty at the time and we have not currently received any reports of any injuries.
“Officers are conducting inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident.
“Our investigation is in its early stages and it has not yet been confirmed whether this incident is linked to wider organised crime.”
