// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Residents need to feel safe after deadly crash and fire near Middlesbrough, council leader says
The family of Natalie McDonald and her niece Valentina Foster have paid tribute to them
People living in a town where nine people have been killed in a crash and fire in the past week deserve to "feel safe in their own homes", a council leader has said.
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Alec Brown's comments come after seven people, including two police officers, died in a car crash at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on Saturday and a 34-year-old woman and seven-year-old girl died in a house fire in Grangetown on Wednesday.
Brown told Radio 4's Today programme he had called an "urgent meeting" on Friday among councillors, police and social housing providers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said any support local police officers and authorities required would be provided.
He said the Grangetown fire was "utterly devastating" and "terribly tragic".
"What we can say at this point in time is that all of the support will be provided to get to the heart of what has happened here," he said.
Police have made several arrests in connection with the recent deaths.
Teesside MPs also called for the government to provide more long-term support for police and firefighters in the area.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Grangetown fire was "terribly tragic"