Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people died in a house fire including a child, police have confirmed.
The blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, broke out just before 05:30 BST and also left a 48-year-old woman in hospital in a critical condition, alongside a further three people who suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Cleveland Police said the two victims were yet to be formally identified.
The men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in police custody, the force said.
Cleveland Police said it was “keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time”.
The fire happened about two miles from the A66 crash that killed five young men and two police officers on Saturday morning.
Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander Supt Emily Harrison said the force was working to “establish the circumstances of exactly what has happened”.
“We will have a high visibility presence in the Grangetown area and encourage anyone who has concerns, or who may have information, to approach our officers.”
Patrols have been increased in the local area to “reassure the local community”, the force said earlier.