Police have launched a murder investigation after two people died in a house fire near Middlesbrough, Cleveland Police have confirmed.Two people died in a blaze at a property in Grangetown, with four others taken to James Cook University Hospital for treatment.Seven fire engines were called to Birchington Avenue and Leighton Road, which are closed, just before 6am while crews dealt with the incident with aid from Cleveland Police and armed units.A statement from Cleveland Police reads: “The families of those people have been informed, and our thoughts are with them and the families of everyone involved in this incident at this extremely difficult time.”Police said the scene has yet to be fully examined, but that one woman remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in a critical condition, and a further three people have suffered non-life-threatening injuries.Redcar and Cleveland Local Policing Commander, Superintendent Emily Harrison, said: “This is a tragic incident which has sadly resulted in the deaths of a number of people this morning, and their families are being supported by specially trained officers.“We are working to establish the circumstances of exactly what has happened, but we are keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time.“We will have a high visibility presence in the Grangetown area as this investigation progresses, and to provide reassurance to local communities, who will no doubt be impacted by this tragic incident.Two people died in a blaze at a property in Grangetown, with four others taken to James Cook University Hospital for treatment | PA“We encourage anyone who has concerns, or who may have information regarding the incident in the early hours of this morning, to approach one of our officers or to contact Cleveland Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously.”Anyone who may have information, or any concerns, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 170941.Police said they “cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time”.The fire happened around two miles from the horror A66 crash, where five young men and two police officers were tragically killed on Saturday morning.Police had previously said the five young men involved in the fatal collision may have had links to “serious and organised criminal activity” – involved in a police pursuit using cloned plates just before the crash.North East Ambulance Service were called to the blaze, where a spokesman said: “We dispatched five ambulance crews, one specialist paramedic, two clinical team leaders, one duty officer, one HART resource (Hazardous Area Response Team).”Four patients were taken to James Cook University Hospital for further treatment.”Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, has described the incident as “clearly a very difficult situation”, and said: “Please avoid the area and give crews the space they need to respond safely.The blaze happened two miles from the scene of the A66 crash that killed seven people, including two police officers | PA”My thoughts are with everyone affected, and with our emergency services dealing with what is clearly a very difficult situation. Please take care and follow official updates.”A spokesman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said road closures were in place in the surrounding area of the fire, and asked members of the public to avoid the area where possible.Redcar and Cleveland councillor for Grangetown Adam Brook said the fire was “absolutely devastating”, but urged people not to speculate or “share unconfirmed information”.He said: “Many residents have been in touch with me throughout the morning, and I know there is understandably a great deal of concern. However, I would urge people not to speculate or share unconfirmed information.”