Gateshead Fire Tragedy: Fourteen Children Arrested After Teen Found Dead in Abandoned Building

A devastating fire at an industrial site in Gateshead has led to the arrest of fourteen children following the discovery of a teenage boy's body. The fire broke out on Friday evening at Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area, and though the flames were eventually extinguished, police confirmed that a body believed to be 14-year-old Layton Carr, who had been reported missing, was found inside the structure.

Northumbria Police revealed that eleven boys and three girls, all aged between 11 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. They remain in custody as the investigation continues. The fire was first reported shortly after 8:00 PM BST at the 15-acre site, which lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne.

Once a functioning industrial area, the site has deteriorated in recent years. Buildings have been abandoned, and the entrance gatehouse was found broken down, allowing easy and dangerous access to the area. Police have emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and have urged the public not to draw conclusions while they work to uncover the cause of the blaze.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins described the event as a deeply tragic loss. She offered condolences to Layton Carr’s family, stating that specially trained officers are supporting them as they process this unimaginable grief. A police cordon remains in place around the scene to assist with forensic investigations and to provide a sense of security to the local community.

Authorities are now appealing for any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward. As the investigation progresses, police continue to stress the need for public cooperation and understanding while they seek justice and clarity in this heartbreaking case.