FT
Fiona Trott
Environment & Climate · United Kingdom
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Nurdle pollution: Port of Tyne boss calls for regulations
Aunt who died in Middlesbrough house fire was 'beautiful soul'
Natalie McDonald, 34, and her seven-year-old niece, Valentina Foster, died in a house fire in Grangetown near Middlesbrough. A 48-year-old woman was critically injured and three others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while two men were arrested on suspicion of murder. Relatives and neighbours described the victims and recounted rescue efforts, including teenagers escaping through an upstairs window. Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade are jointly investigating, and police have not ruled out links to wider organised crime. Increased patrols and community support are in place as officials urge people not to speculate.