Two missing in huge house fire feared to be ‘gangland revenge attack’ linked to five ‘joyriders’ killed in A66 crash

AT LEAST two people are missing presumed dead after a fire tore through a house in the wake of the A66 crash that left seven dead, including two cops. Firearms officers stood guard at the scene of the blaze this morning amid fears it is part of a gangland revenge attack following Saturday’s horror smash. Two people reportedly managed to escape the house Credit: NNP The inferno is understood to be linked to the horror wrong-way A66 crash Credit: NNP Five youths – Michael Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-old Cole Worthy – died after driving the wrong way down the dual carriageway. They were trying to shake-off police after a high-speed pursuit when they headed towards oncoming traffic near Middlesbrough. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Police abandoned their pursuit but 10 seconds later their VW Passat ploughed into an armed response unit. Firearms officers – married dad-of-two PC Matthew Blades, 37, and Iraq war hero PC Tom Clough, 38 – were killed instantly. Armed police are believed to be at the scene today Credit: NNP So far, seventeen people have been arrested in connection with the A66 crash Credit: NNP Cops believe the Passat gang were out looking for revenge after the home belonging to Worthy’s dad was rammed twice by a Volvo XC60 minutes earlier. It reversed twice into the front window at 3am on Saturday. There is no suggestion the 17-year-old’s dad, Gye, 39, was involved in criminal activity. But police believe it may have provided the flashpoint for the events that unfolded in the minutes leading up to the 3:39am crash. Most read in The Sun There are now fears the latest incident could be linked to an explosion of gang warfare in Middlesbrough. Police, ambulance, fire and rescue and Northern Gas Networks remain at the scene of the blaze on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown. Shocked residents said two people were missing, while two others had been able to escape from the house. One neighbour said: “Some people got out, and a few people did not. It’s tragic.” A relative of the family who lived in the house, which has lost its roof in the blaze, also confirmed two people had escaped, while another two were missing. Ciara Randle, 10, said: “I woke up to screaming, dogs barking and sirens, very early. The sun had only just come up. Makai Saddington, 18, died in the crash, had previous convictions and was alleged to be pursuing a rival gang alongside his friends Close friends Theo Rae, 17, (left) and Cole Worthy, 17, are understood to have been chasing a rival gang in the Passat when it crashed Credit: Facebook/Theo Rae Jacob Matusiak, 23, had previous convictions and died in the crash Credit: Facebook/Jakub Hewitt Michael Cahill, 23, who had no convictions, died in the crash which also killed two police officers Credit: Facebook/Michael Ray “I told my mum as soon as we got up, and we realised there had been a fire. We’re very shocked. “The fire had been put out by then, but there was smoke, and the house was smouldering.” Ciara’s mum Theresa Randle, a 42-year-old carer added: “We don’t know the people in the house very well, but we say hello to them. “The poor family. We feel so sad for them. “By the time we got up, the fire had been put out. We don’t know what happened. “It’s a tragedy, especially so soon after the crash at the weekend.” Cleveland Fire Brigade said it was called to the blaze at 05:23 this morning. A spokesperson added: “Crews are currently dealing with the incident, with six fire engines and the Incident Command Unit at the scene. “Road closures are in place in the surrounding area, and Cleveland Fire Brigade are asking members of the public to avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to work safely. “The incident remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided when available.” Cops believe the Passat gang were out looking for revenge after the home belonging to Worthy’s dad was rammed twice by a Volvo Credit: PA A Volvo reversed twice into the Worthy’s dad’s front window at 3am on Saturday Credit: Getty A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “Birchington Avenue and Leighton Road in Grangetown is currently closed while officers and emergency services respond to a fire at the property. “Please avoid the area and use alternative routes.” Cleveland Police said that four of those killed in the vehicle – Worthy, Matusiak, Saddington and Rae – which hit the cop car had previous police convictions. All four had appeared in court charged with a series of offences. Saddington pleaded guilty to possession of a Class C drug and a knife in May 2025 and months later admitted three offences of assaulting a police officer. Meanwhile, Worthy admitted using threatening and abusive language to cause harassment, alarm and distress in October 2024. Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South Bank Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire PC Matthew Blades’ wife has paid a touching tribute to her husband (image released to police by the victim’s family) Credit: Cleveland Police PC Tom Clough tragically died in the horror collision Credit: PA Floral tributes have been laid at Cleveland Police HQ for the two dead officers Credit: PA In March, Matusiak admitted using a vehicle without insurance and driving without a licence. While, Rae was convicted of assaulting a police officer, shoplifting, stealing cars, theft, drug possession and breaching a youth rehabilitation order. Cops have also confirmed that nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested on suspicion of several offences in connection with the crash. The alleged offences include possession of a firearm and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. A further five men, aged 16 to 55, were then arrested yesterday in connection with the crash – bringing the total to seventeen in custody. Some of those arrested over the A66 investigation are suspected of “participating in the activities of an organised crime group” Cleveland Police added. Cops are continuing to investigate the moments leading up to the fatal smash on Saturday with National Crime Agency officers joining the probe. Two of those arrested, aged 19 and 26, have since appeared in court charged with possession of a firearm, drug dealing and possession of stolen property while a third has been recalled to prison.