Residents are being urged to take up an offer of free fire safety checks, in a town where three members of a family died in a blaze at the weekend.

Two-year-old Megan Yates is being treated in hospital after receiving 31 percent burns in the house fire in Pelham Street, Middlesbrough, which killed her mum, Gail Yates,27, her 22-year-old aunt, Joanne, and it is believed her teenager uncle.

DNA tests will have to be first carried out before the third body can be positively identified as 18-year-old Lee Yates.

Jemma Taylor of the Safer Middlesbrough Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is calling on residents to take up Cleveland Fire Brigade's offer of home fire safety checks, when fire fighters provide free fire risk assessments of homes.

The scheme was launched before the fire tragedy occurred.

Tony Marwood, District Manager for Middlesbrough Fire Service said: "Our aim is to actively prevent fires and injuries by visiting people in their homes to provide fire safety advice and to fit free smoke alarms.

"We particularly want to help and advise those members of our community who are vulnerable to the risks of fire such as the elderly, the young and others who may not be aware of the dangers of fire.''

There were 612 deaths in house fires in the UK last year, seven of which occurred in Middlesbrough. There have been 172 casualties and 1,377 house fires in the Teesside town in the last five years.

Jemma Taylor commented: "We would encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to help them reduce the risk from fire. This could be the most important call they have ever made. We urge them to pick up the phone and call today.''

To book a visit, residents can call Middlesbrough Fire station on (01642) 812525, Coulby Newham Fire Station on (01642) 599503, or, Marine Fire Station on (01642)247822.