Parents pay tribute to ‘heart of gold’ son killed in Newcastle house explosion

The parents of a seven-year-old lad who was killed successful a location detonation successful Newcastle person paid tribute to their “cheeky” lad who had “a bosom of gold”.

Northumbria Police confirmed Archie York was 1 of the victims who died successful the incidental astatine Violet Close, successful the Benwell and Elswick country of the city, successful the aboriginal hours of Wednesday morning.

Archie’s parents, Katherine and Robbie, paid a heartfelt tribute to their lad and said his “cheeky smile” volition “live on” successful his younger brother, Finley.

In connection shared by the police, they said: “Archie was not lone our lad but our champion friend. He lit up each country helium went in, whether that was with his cheeky grin helium was known for oregon immoderate of his cheeky words.

“We are truthful breached arsenic a family, but Archie volition unrecorded connected successful his babe member Finley who is the spitting representation of him.

“He mightiness person been tiny but helium had a bosom of gold, everyone loved him.”

The mates described their son’s decease arsenic a “nightmare”, but thanked radical who person paid tribute to Archie.

“We would besides similar to convey everyone who shared their emotion with Archie astatine his balloon release, everyone did him proud,” they said.

“As a full we are inactive wanting to aftermath up from this nightmare, but Archie knows helium volition beryllium successful our hearts everlastingly and always.

“We emotion you Archie York.”

Northumbria Police superintendent Darren Adams said his “thoughts are precise overmuch with Archie’s loved ones astatine this devastating time”.

He added: “He has mislaid his beingness successful genuinely tragic circumstances, and we would inquire everyone to respect his family’s privacy.”

A antheral successful his 30s, who has been named successful reports arsenic Jason “Jay” Laws, was besides recovered dormant wrong the spot pursuing the explosion.

Mr Adams said the probe into the origin of the detonation remains ongoing, with cordons expected to beryllium successful spot successful the country for immoderate time, adding the constabulary are moving with different section authorities specified arsenic the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

He urged members of the nationalist to debar online speculation astir the incidental arsenic the unit continues its investigation.

“The probe into this calamity is ongoing and owed to the level of harm which has been caused this is apt to instrumentality immoderate time,” said Mr Adams.

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

“We would inquire that portion the probe is being carried retired that radical debar speculation some online and successful the community.

“We again convey radical for their continued enactment and practice astatine this time.”