Parents of schoolboy who died in Newcastle explosion pay tribute

The heartbroken parents of a seven-year-old boy who died in an explosion in Newcastle have paid tribute to their late son.

Archie York died at the scene after a devastating blast that tore through six flats in Violet Close, Benwell, in the early hours of Wednesday October 16.

The schoolboy's devastated parents Katherine and Robbie have now paid tribute to their 'cheeky' son in an emotional statement alongside a picture of their child beaming at the camera with a Newcastle United football shirt on.

'Archie was not only our son but our best friend,' they said. 'He lit up every room he went in, whether that was with his cheeky smile he was known for or some of his cheeky words.

'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.

'We would also like to thank everyone who shared their love with Archie at his balloon release, everyone did him proud.

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'As a whole we are still wanting to wake up from this nightmare but Archie knows he will be in our hearts forever and always.

'We love you Archie York #forever7.'

Six people were taken to hospital in addition to Archie, who died at the scene.

A second man, Jason Laws, believed to have been in his 30s, was discovered beneath debris.

Archie's aunt, Abbie Lauren, also tribute to him on Facebook by saying: '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.

'Archie was my nephew and the most beautiful, funny, & 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.'

Superintendent Darren Adams, from Northumbria Police, said: 'Our thoughts are very much with Archie's loved ones at this devastating time.

'He has lost his life in truly tragic circumstances, and we would ask everyone to respect his family's privacy.'

The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, with cordons expected to remain in place for some time.

Police are working alongside colleagues from a range of agencies, including Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Supt Adams said: 'The investigation into this tragedy is ongoing and due to the level of damage which has been caused this is likely to take some time.

'We are committed to providing answers to what has happened.

'We would ask that while the investigation is being carried out that people avoid speculation both online and in the community.

'We again thank people for their continued support and cooperation at this time.'

A resident at the scene earlier described Archie as a 'lovely lad'.

The same man has told how a woman in one of the flats destroyed by the blast had complained to the council about her faulty boiler just days earlier.

Despite their efforts, Archie, who is understood to have lived in an upstairs property, died at the scene, where bouquets of flowers have been laid out.

The neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, 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.'

A GoFundMe page has since been set up by Archie's grandmother Maxine Baxter raise funds to give him a 'wonderful send off which he deserves'.

The fundraiser, which has raised nearly £6,000, says: 'Archie lights any room up where ever he goes, this is one little angel who didn't deserve to gained his wings and we as a family we lost the most precious thing in the world who got ripped away from us.'

The neighbour went on to add that the woman whose house it started in had complained to the council about her boiler 'very recently'.

'She said my 'boiler smells like gas' and they told her turn it off and they will have someone out in two days,' he said.

'Since the blast happened we're being told it was because of the old gas pipes underneath the houses.

'There are old gas pipes that are there but we know the boiler had something to do with it.

'I think she only complained two days before it happened. If you complain about a repair here, the council will say they have it on order and the lads will be out soon.

'But nobody turned up this time. I think it's because they are old houses and they don't have the parts and they try and push you away.

'I was in bed at the time but I was straight out when I heard the bang. People were shouting that there were kids still inside and the house was on fire.'