Three arrested over Newcastle house explosion that killed boy, 7

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and the production of cannabis following a house explosion that killed two people - including a seven-year-old boy.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation into the cause of the blast, which ripped through a home on Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle, in the early hours of Wednesday 16 October. Three men have now been arrested, each on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and one of the production of a class B drug, namely cannabis.

Two men in their 30s and one in his 50s remain in police custody. Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason “Jay” Laws, 35, died in the explosion.

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Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith said: “This has been a truly tragic incident which resulted in the loss of two lives. As a result of our ongoing inquiries, 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. We would continue to ask people to avoid speculation surrounding this incident both online and in the community.

“Anyone with any information which could assist our inquiries should contact us as soon as possible if they have not already done so.”