Three Men Arrested in Connection with Newcastle House Explosion that Killed Two, Including a Seven-Year-Old Boy | World Briefings
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Three Men Arrested in Connection with Newcastle House Explosion that Killed Two, Including a Seven-Year-Old Boy

6 November, 2024 - 4:09PM
Three Men Arrested in Connection with Newcastle House Explosion that Killed Two, Including a Seven-Year-Old Boy
Credit: hdnux.com

Three men have been arrested in connection with a house explosion, which killed two people including a seven-year-old boy.

Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws died in the blast in Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle, on 16 October.

A man in his 50s and two men in their 30s have been arrested on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and the production of cannabis, Northumbria Police said.

They remain in custody.

Det Ch Insp Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: "This has been a truly tragic incident which resulted in the loss of two lives.

"Our investigation will remain ongoing as we seek to provide answers to what happened."

Police also asked the community to avoid speculation.

Abbie York, Archie's aunt, told the BBC he was a "loving boy, with a cheeky little grin on his face all of the time".

The family had moved to the Benwell property just after Archie was born, and the primary school pupil had been learning how to swim and enjoyed playing the violin, she said.

His parents and two-month-old brother had been treated in hospital following the explosion, but were released soon after.

Three other adults were taken to hospital, where one remains with serious injuries.

More than 120 people were forced out of their homes because of the blast.

A firefighter who was on the scene 35 minutes after the explosion said it was the "most challenging" incident faced by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) in years.

The arrests come after an extensive investigation by police and other agencies.

Investigation Continues

Police have confirmed that the investigation into the explosion is ongoing. It could take some time to establish the exact cause of the tragedy due to the extent of the damage.

Tributes to Victims

The community has been left reeling from the tragedy, with many paying tribute to the victims.

Archie's parents described him as a "cheeky" boy who "lit up every room he went in".

They said: "We are so broken as a family but Archie will live on in his baby brother, Finley, who is the spitting image of him. He might have been small but he had a heart of gold. Everyone loved him."

Jason Laws, who was known as Jay, was described by his brother as "the best dad in the world".

Community Response

The explosion had a significant impact on the local community, forcing many residents out of their homes.

The incident has highlighted the importance of community support and resilience in the face of tragedy.

Lessons Learned

The incident has also raised questions about safety and regulation in the area.

Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and identify any potential factors that may have contributed to it.

Moving Forward

The community of Benwell is coming together to support each other and rebuild in the wake of the tragedy.

The families of the victims are grieving their loss and seeking justice for those who were killed.

The investigation into the explosion will continue, and authorities are committed to providing answers to the community.

Three Men Arrested in Connection with Newcastle House Explosion that Killed Two, Including a Seven-Year-Old Boy
Credit: dailyrecord.co.uk
Tags:
Explosion Newcastle upon Tyne Benwell
Maria Garcia
Maria Garcia

Editor

Passionate editor with a focus on business news.