Three men have been arrested in connection with a tragic house explosion in Newcastle that claimed the lives of seven-year-old Archie York and Jason Laws, a man in his 30s. The explosion occurred in October on Violet Close, located in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city.
The suspects, two men in their 30s and one in his 50s, have been taken into custody on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and the production of a Class B drug, specifically cannabis. Northumbria Police confirmed the arrests as part of their ongoing investigation into the fatal incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, who is leading the investigation, described the explosion as “a truly tragic incident which resulted in the loss of two lives.” She stated, “As a result of our ongoing enquiries, three men have today been arrested in connection with the explosion. Our investigation will remain ongoing as we seek to provide answers to what has happened.”
DCI Smith also urged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident on social media and in the community, noting that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
