Thursday 17 October 2024 21:41, UK
Newcastle house explosion victims named as Jason Laws and Archie York
Jason’s brother has paid tribute, describing him as the “best dad in the world”, while Archie’s family said he was “the most beautiful, funny, and caring little boy”.
Two people who died in a house explosion in Newcastle have been named as Jason Laws, who was in his 30s, and seven-year-old Archie York.
They were killed following the blast in Violet Close, in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Archie, they said, was “the most beautiful, funny, and caring little boy and his name deserves to be shouted from the rooftops!”
“We all love you so much little man, you didn’t deserve this.”
A second body was found in the debris by emergency crews. He has been named locally as Jason Laws.
His brother Joseph paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying “you have been the best big brother I could ask for” and described him as the “best dad in the world”.
He was one of six people – five adults and a child – who were taken to hospital following the blast.
The rest have since been discharged, the force added.
An investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing, with cordons expected to be in place for some time.
There are no reports of missing people related to the blast.
Drone footage showed how at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble.
Firefighters said six flats were badly affected by the blast, with two hit by the main brunt of the explosion.
The seven-year-old child who lost his life in a Newcastle explosion has a name.
His family has assigned the seven-year-old who passed away the name Archie York in honor of the child.
Another body has also been found; it is believed to be that of a thirty-something male.
“Our minds are very much with the family and friends of the two people who have sadly lost their lives,” a Northumbria Police spokesman said.
“Specialist officers are helping their loved-ones and we would urge everyone to respect their privacy at this time.”
Early on October 16, emergency responders were sent to the explosion site in the Newcastle areas of Benwell and Elwick.
Among the six other persons hospitalized following the incident were five adults and a child; all but one have been released from treatment.
The sole patient not released from the hospital, Northumbria Police confirmed to PA, was a guy in his 30s in a serious but stable condition.
They continued by stating that there was no connection between any missing person cases and the explosion.
Speaking at the scene yesterday, Superintendent Darren Adams declared: “I come before you today with deep sorrow over the untimely death of a small boy.”
“A seven-year-old lad has sadly passed away as a result of an incident in early hours of this morning.”
“Although the emergency services tried, he sadly passed away at the scene.”
“This is a truly devastating outcome.”
“I have no doubt that the people of Elswick and Benwell, and our wider region, will want to join me in extending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends. The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.”
Family members of the seven-year-old have been paying respect to him on social media, the Metro said.
They state that Archie’s aunt described him as “the most beautiful, funny, & caring little boy” in a social media post, saying that his name “deserves to be shouted from the rooftops.”
Furthermore, they claim that a neighbor described the seven-year-old as a “lovely lad” who “everyone knew.”
One house was nearly totally demolished, according to drone footage of the explosion-affected homes, while nearby homes were also seriously damaged.
The explosion also caused several other people to be evacuated from their homes.
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