A MAN has been arrested after two people, both believed to be jockeys, died in a fire in a block of flats in Norton near Malton, early on Saturday morning.

Police said the arrested man, who is in his thirties, is currently being held on suspicion of arson with intent. He was arrested near the scene of the fatal fire in Buckrose Court at 2.15am While there has been no official identification of the deceased, one is believed to be promising young Irish jockey, Jamie Kyne.

The 18-year-old was due to run in the 4.05 at Haydock on Saturday afternoon, and a minute of silence was observed at the course as a mark of respect. At York Racecourse, where Kyne was due to ride on Sunday, flags were flying at half mast. The second dead person is believed to be a female, and is also thought to be a jockey.

Superintendent Steve Tarn, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “In the early hours of this morning we were called to a fire at Buckrose Court.

“Unfortunately, as a result of that fire, two people have died.

"Two males were also taken to York District Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and minor burns, one has since been released.

“A local male has been arrested in connection with this offence and we are now trying to establish whether he is connected with it.”

Supt Tarn said police were currently unable to recover the bodies due to the unsafe structural condition of the building.

He urged anyone who was in the area of Commercial Street, around 2am on Saturday, and believes they may have seen something suspicious, to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247.