'Lovely lad', 7, killed in Newcastle house explosion as second body tragically found under rubble

A seven-year-old boy who was killed in a horrific house explosion in Newcastle has been named locally. Archie York, described as a 'lovely lad' died at the scene in Violet Close in the Benwell and Elswick area in the early hours of Wednesday morning (October 16).

The explosion and blaze prompted a huge emergency services response, with devastating pictures showing the scale of destruction to two terraced homes.

The 'large scale incident' took place at around 12.45am. Six people were taken to hospital as a result of the blast with 'varying injuries', according to police, the Mirror reports.

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Schoolboy Archie tragically died in the blast, with Northumbria Police revealing on Thursday (October 17) that a second body had been found, thought to be of a man in his 30s, underneath debris.

Paying tribute to Archie, a neighbour said: "Everybody knew him. He was a lovely lad. The family are in bits. Archie was always with his dad and he was playing outside a lot. You would see him with his two dogs. He went to a school just up the road from here. My kids are having nightmares about what happened."

His aunt Abbie York said the family are 'all so truly devastated and heartbroken beyond words'. She added in a Facebook post: "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."

Giving an update to the media at a press conference yesterday afternoon, Superintendent Darren Adams confirmed: "It is with great sadness I stand before you today following the death of a young child. As a result of the incident here in the early hours of the morning a seven-year-old has sadly passed away.

"Despite the efforts of emergency services he died at the scene. This is a truly devastating outcome. I have no doubt the people of Elswick and Benwell, and our wider region, will want to join me in sending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends. The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.

"The boys' loved ones are being supported by specialist officers and we would ask the their privacy be respected at this time. I can confirm six people were taken to hospital with varying injuries. A number of people were also evacuated and are being supported by our colleagues from Newcastle City Council. It is likely the cordon will remain in place for some time as we continue to carry out our investigations. This is an incredibly tragic incident."

In an update, a police spokesperson added: "Tragically a second body has been found following an explosion in Newcastle. This news comes after a seven-year-old boy sadly died as a result of the incident in Violet Close in the early hours of yesterday.

"The body – believed to be that of a man in his 30s – was found later yesterday in the debris by emergency crews. Formal identification for both those who tragically died is yet to take place."