Overview
- Emergency crews responded to a house fire on Norfolk Street in Stockton at about 11.20pm on May 22 and a man found at the scene remains in a critical condition in hospital.
- Cleveland Police are treating the incident as suspected arson and have launched an ongoing criminal inquiry to establish how the fire started.
- Five people — three women aged 21, 32 and 52 and two men aged 26 and 29 — were arrested, questioned and subsequently released on bail with conditions pending further enquiries.
- Cleveland Fire Brigade sent four engines, rescued two dogs from the property and reported about 60% fire damage to the downstairs living room.
- Officers, led by Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent Deb Fenny, are urging anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to contact police on 101 quoting reference 097724 or to report information anonymously to Crimestoppers so enquiries can move towards possible charges.