'Fly high Archie': Heartfelt floral tributes left near to scene of Benwell explosion

Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason 'Jay' Laws, sadly died following a house explosion in Violet Close, Benwell, Newcastle

Heartfelt floral tributes have been left near to the scene of a Newcastle house explosion in Violet Close, Benwell, which tragically claimed the lives of a child and a man.

Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason 'Jay' Laws, sadly died following a house explosion in Violet Close on Wednesday morning. Emergency services were called to the explosion shortly before 12.45am and the Tyne and Wear Fire Service declared it a major incident.

Six people were taken to hospital following the explosion, with police confirming that a man in his 30s remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, while the other five people, four adults and a child, have since been discharged. Police have confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing, warning that cordons are expected to be in place for some time.

In the days after the tragedy, tributes have been left to Archie and Jay. Posting on Facebook, Jay's brother, Joseph Laws, said his "heads in bits" and shared a heart breaking tribute to Jay, who he described as a legend and the "best big brother". He wrote: "One thing I can say you have been the best big brother I could ask for you would be willing to die for me and protected me the past 30 years even when I didn't need protected anymore."

On Buddle Road, floral tributes, notes and toys were left in memory of Archie. One note simply read: "Thinking of all your family. Fly high Archie..."

Archie's aunt, Abbie York, recently shared a tribute on Facebook, writing: "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."

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