Police release one of two men arrested over fatal house fire

A composite image of Natalie McDonald and Valentina Foster. McDonald is wearing a white wedding dress with a tiara perched on her head. She has long dark hair and is holding a bouquet of white roses with four blue ones dotted within it. Valentina wears an electric blue dress with white flowers on the neckline and waist. She has long light brown hair with a blue and white headband. She is holding a small white basket with white and blue roses and she wears white gloves. — Image caption,

Natalie McDonald and her niece Valentina Foster died in a house fire on Wednesday

A 31-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder over a fatal house fire has been released with no further action while a second man, aged 23, continues to be questioned.

Natalie McDonald, 34, died in the blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Wednesday, along with her niece Valentina Foster, seven.

Cleveland Police said a 48-year-old woman had been left in a critical condition in hospital and another three people had injuries that were not life-threatening.

The force added enquiries were ongoing.

Natalie’s mother, Lisa Kirton, described her as “a beautiful soul, who would have done anything for anybody”.

Valentina, who was known as Tina, was staying at the house for the summer holidays and had been “dancing around the living room” only the previous night.

“She was a cute little kid,” Kirton said. “I can’t believe it, seven years old – it’s just a disgrace.”

In an update on Friday afternoon, Cleveland Police ACC Dave Sutherland said the force was not currently linking the fire to a crash on the A66, in which seven people died, including two police officers.

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