Police have confirmed that a boy has sadly died following a fire at an industrial park in Gateshead.
From Northumbria Police:
Shortly after 8pm yesterday, we received a report of a fire near Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead.
Emergency services attended, and the fire was extinguished a short time later.
Subsequently last night we issued an appeal for missing boy Layton Carr – it was believed he was in the area at the time.
Sadly, following searches, a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was located deceased inside the building.
His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specialist officers.
Enquiries are at an early stage and members of the public are asked not to speculate online or in the community.
11 boys and three girls aged between 14 and 11 years-old have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
They remain in police custody at this time.
This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life, and our thoughts remain with Layton’s family as they begin to attempt to process the loss of their loved one.
