DEADLY FIRE
Fourteen children aged between 11 and 14 arrested after missing boy dies in fire in ‘extremely tragic incident’
Those arrested include 11 boys and three girls
FOURTEEN children aged between 11 and 14 have been arrested after a missing boy died in a fire - in what cops have described as an "extremely tragic incident".
Layton Carr, 14, was discovered dead inside a building at Fairfield Industrial Park in Gateshead, Co Durham, on Friday night.
5
5
5
Emergency services raced to the scene, on the southern banks of the River Tyne in the Bill Quay area, at around 8pm.
Fire brigades tackled the blaze for two hours, declaring a major incident.
Northumbria Police subsequently issued an appeal for the missing Layton, who was believed to be in the area at the time.
Searches carried out by the force and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service later revealed that the teen had tragically died in the fire.
read more uk news
Eleven boys and three girls have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remain in police custody.
Layton's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, said police.
In a statement, Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins said: "This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life.
"Our thoughts are with Layton’s family as they begin to attempt to process the loss of their loved one.
Most read in The Sun
"Our specialist officers will continue to support them in whatever way they can.
"We ask that their privacy be respected at this time."
5
5
Detective Chief Insp Jenkins added: “A cordon remains in place while we carry out enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“I’d like to thank our officers and partners at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts through the night.”
In the missing person's appeal, the force said it was "growing increasingly concerned" about Layton, who had last been seen at around 7pm.
The teen was described as 5ft 6ins tall, with short brown hair.
He was believed to be wearing a black Under Armour cap with white logo, dark grey Berghaus puffa jacket, black tracksuit bottoms, grey t-shirt and black and grey Nike 95 trainers.
Tributes poured in for Layton after his tragic discovery.
His youth worker wrote: "A lush lad with his whole life ahead of him."
Another wrote on Facebook: "Rest easy Layton kid forever 14."
Read More on The Sun
A GoFundMe page was set up by a family friend in the wake of the incident to support Layton's mum with funeral costs - and can be accessed .
Anyone with information is urged to contact Northumbria Police by direct message on social media, by using the live chat function on the force's website, or by filing a report.
Topics