The family of a North East teenager who lost her life following a flat fire have issued a heartfelt tribute to their daughter.

Emergency services attended a property on Vicarage Street in North Shields at around 3.45am on Monday (January 16) following reports of smoke coming from a flat on the street.

On Tuesday (January 17), Northumbria Police confirmed the body of Leah Casson, 18, had been found inside the address.

The family of the teenager have now issued a tribute to their "outgoing" and "bubbly" daughter.

Read more: Police confirm teen died in suspected North Shields arson

The Northern Echo:

In a statement issued today, the family said: “As a family we are totally devastated by what has happened.

“Leah was an outgoing, bubbly young woman who we loved so much, and we can’t believe she has gone.

“Please let us grieve for her as a family and respect our privacy at this time.”

This comes after officers from Northumbria Police joined colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire (TWFRS), and three people were taken to hospital.

Read more: Three in hospital after suspected arson at North Shields flat

The Northern Echo:

Leah’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers from Northumbria Police, as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

At this stage, the fire is still being treated as a suspected arson, and police are calling on anyone who can aid the investigation to come forward.

Detective Inspector Louise Jenkins, the Senior Investigating Officer said: “Our thoughts are with Leah’s friends and family at this incredibly difficult time.

"Not only have they sustained injuries themselves and lost their home, but they have to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, and we’d ask their privacy is respected while they grieve.

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The Northern Echo:

“Our investigation remains ongoing and will do so until we can establish exactly what happened, and how Leah came to pass away.

“We are not ruling anything out and are currently treating the incident as suspected arson, but are asking anyone who has information or who thinks they can assist us, to come forward.”

If you can help, get in touch via the ‘Tell us Something’ page on our website, or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230116-0067.