The ‘best dad in the world’ who was killed in an explosion alongside a seven-year-old boy in Newcastle has been named and pictured.
Jason Laws, aged in his 30s, has been named locally as the adult killed in the explosion which ‘decimated’ several homes on a residential street in the Benwell area at around 12.45am yesterday.
His brother Joseph Laws wrote in a tribute post on Facebook he would be telling his two children was the ‘best dad in the world’ as they grew up.
Emergency services came across his body as they sifted through the debris later in the day.
Archie York has also been named locally as the ‘lovely lad’ who died in the sudden explosion, with neighbours saying residents had complained about smells of gas for days ahead of the blast.
The boy’s aunt, Abbie York, said: ‘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.’
Five adults and one child were taken to hospital with varying degrees of injuries. All but one has been discharged.
Supt Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the two people who have tragically lost their lives.
‘Specialist officers are supporting their loved-ones and we would urge everyone to respect their privacy at this time.’
A neighbour paid tribute to Archie today, writing: ‘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.’
Six people were taken to hospital ‘with varying injuries’ and several others were evacuated from their homes in the Benwell and Elswick area after the blast left the street looking ‘like a plane had hit it’.
In an update yesterday afternoon, police superintendent Darren Adams said at the scene: ‘It is with great sadness that I stand in front of you today following the tragic death of a young child.
‘As a result of the incident in the early hours of this morning, a seven-year-old boy has sadly passed away. 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.’
Superintendent Adams went on: ‘Inquiries are still at a very early stage and in the coming hours and days, we will continue to piece together what has happened so we can provide answers to the family as well as the wider community.’
Six flats were ‘badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion’, assistant chief fire officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said.
She told reporters that all fires have now been extinguished and firefighters continued to search the buildings to ensure that all persons are accounted for.
Emergency services were called to the incident in Violet Close shortly before 1am on Wednesday.
Drone pictures from above the street showed at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble.
A family friend of some of the victims said there had been a ‘devastating explosion’.
Andy Riches, a safety steward at Newcastle United, has set up an online fundraiser in aid of the occupants of one of the homes affected.
He is friends with the grandfather of a couple with two children who live in one of the flats, and said: ‘They have lost everything.’
The 54-year-old added: ‘They were in the flat above where the explosion happened. It looks like an aeroplane has hit the street. They have had an explosion and then the gas has caused a fire.
‘I set the page up to help them rebuild their lives. We will try to get the community together because this has decimated the street.’
Firefighters continued to work at the scene using a jet to damp down the house, which was still smouldering.
A fire service van marked ‘search dogs’ was parked nearby, as were gas specialist engineers.
Meanwhile, vehicle recovery workers were taking away several damaged cars on low-loaders.
The British Red Cross was at the scene helping local people who have been unable to go home.
Councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: ‘First and foremost my thoughts go out to the loved ones of the young boy who has tragically lost his life following this morning’s incident at Violet Close.
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‘This is a heartbreaking update to hear and it shows the severity of the incident that the emergency services have been dealing with.
‘I’m sure everyone in the local area and across the wider city will join me in sending condolences to the boy’s family and friends.’
The council leader said the local authority was working to support local residents.
She added: ‘The safety of residents remains our absolute priority and we will continue to provide assistance in any way we can.’
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