Elderly blaze victims named

William Volume, 88, and his 89-year-old wife, Eileen, who lived in Carlton Village, Stockton-on-Tees, had been married for more than 60 years.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of Thursday’s blaze and the authorities are entering the detached property under the supervision of structural engineers.

Cleveland Police said they are continuing to treat the fire as unexplained, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest anything untoward took place.

Results from post-mortem examinations concluded that the pensioners died as a result of smoke inhalation.

Acting Det Chief Insp Anne-Marie Salwey said officers from Stockton and colleagues at Cleveland Fire Brigade were working to establish the cause of the fire as quickly as is possible.