One of two sisters killed in a house blaze which also claimed the life of their brother had earlier been quizzed on suspicion of arson.

Joanne Yates, 22, died in the fierce house blaze in Pelham Street, Middlesbrough, Teesside, alongside her elder sister Gail, 27, and 18-year-old brother Lee.

Earlier this month Joanne had been involved in a fire at another address nearby.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said today: "We can confirm Joanne was arrested earlier this month following a small fire in Stowe Street, Middlesbrough, where she was staying.

"A full investigation was carried out and the Crown Prosecution Service deemed insufficient evidence to proceed with a charge."

Joanne, sister Gail and Gail's two-year-old daughter Megan - miraculously pulled from the blaze after having been shielded from the flames by her mother's body - had stayed together at the Stowe Street address.

It was only after the fire on August 3 that they moved back to their mother's home nearby.

Megan is recovering in Newcastle General Hospital's intensive care unit where her condition was said today to be "stable"after the horrific fire at the weekend.

It is believed Gail and Megan were also in the Stowe Street property at the time of the earlier fire, attended by both firefighters and an ambulance crew.

Mark Whelan, director of operations and community safety at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "I can confirm that we attended a fire on August 3 at 4.38am on Stowe Street, Middlesbrough.

"There was a fire in the hallway and we believed it was deliberate ignition."

A spokeswoman for Tees Ambulance confirmed two causalities were taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not believed to be serious.

Rose Yates, 45, the girls' mother, said today: "The house on Stowe Street was Gail's, and all of them were living there at the time of the fire.

"They moved back in with me after the fire, and were looking for somewhere else to move to.

"I don't really know much about what happened that night. I think it might still be under investigation."

The Stowe Street fire was just around the corner from the latest blaze.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said: "They lived there for about a year. Joanne always had little Megan, we saw her all the time walking past with the pram.

"Joanne was quiet and none of the girls were never any bother."

Referring to the fire on August 3, the resident added: "We woke up and heard noises outside. We could see the fire engine, police car and ambulance and it looked like the little girl was being treated.

"They stayed at the house another few nights, then moved away. I have every sympathy for the family. It is an awful thing that happened but we were thrilled that nothing worse happened to Megan."