Fourteen youngsters have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a schoolboy died in a fire on an industrial estate.
Layton Carr, 14, was found dead inside a building on Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear on Friday night.
Firefighters rushed to the scene shortly after 8pm yesterday and extinguished the blaze.
In the early hours of this morning police issued an appeal for Layton, who had last been seen in Gateshead at around 7pm the evening before.
Officers have now confirmed Layton was the teenager found dead on the industrial estate and his family has been informed.
Eleven boys and three girls aged between 14 and 11-years-old have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. They are in police custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police, 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.
Layton Carr, 14, whose body has been discovered inside a building on Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead
‘Our specialist officers will continue to support them in whatever way they can.
‘We ask that their privacy be respected at this time.’
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.’
This is a breaking news story – more to follow
