A seven-year-old boy who was killed in house explosion in Newcastle has been named locally as Archie York.
The “large-scale incident” took place in Violet Close, Newcastle at around 12.45am last night.
Neighbours have revealed that the young boy was a “lovely lad” and his family are “in bits” following the tragic incident.
York died at the scene, while six others were taken to hospital.
It comes after a second body was found earlier today in the wreckage of the devastating explosion and fire.
The body, understood to be of a man in his 30s, was found in the debris by emergency crews, with police making the news public this afternoon.
Emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the blast.
Paying tribute online, York’s aunty Abbie Lauren wrote: “Archie’s life was so tragically snatched from him in the early hours of the morning in the explosion in Benwell.
“My family are all so truly devastated and heartbroken beyond words by this and we would respect privacy at this time.”
She added: “He deserves to be known. Archie was my nephew and 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.”
More to follow…
