Two arrested over fatal house fire in North Shields which claimed life of Leah Casson, 18

Leah Casson, 18, died at the scene of the fire in North Shields. Credit: Family handout

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal house fire which claimed the life of a teenage girl.

In the early hours of Monday 16 January 2023, police were alerted to a fire at a residential address on Vicarage Street, in North Shields.

Emergency services attended the property where 18-year-old Leah Casson died at the scene.

On Wednesday (8 January), police re-arrested a woman in her 40s and made a further arrest of a man in his late teens as part of the ongoing investigation into her death, and the fire.

They were both arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and have since been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

Detective Inspector Mark Atherton, of Northumbria Police, said: “We very much continue to look into the circumstances surrounding Leah’s tragic death.

“The investigation into the cause of the fire is complex in nature – and two years on we remain committed to establishing what happened.

“A number of enquiries are ongoing, which led us to making the arrests we have this week.”

Det Insp Atherton added: “Despite the time which has passed, we would also once again urge anyone who may have information that could assist us to come forward.

“Any detail – no matter how minor it might seem – could prove to be extremely valuable.”

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police quoting reference number NP-20230116-0067.

Members of the public can also share information anonymously by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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