The family of a man who tragically died as a result of a recent explosion in Newcastle have named him as Jason Laws.
Two people died in the explosion which occurred in the Benwell and Elswick area of Newcastle, where the emergency services were called just before 1am on 16 October.
Northumbria Police confirmed that a seven-year-old boy, Archie York, had been killed in the blast and a second body identified as belonging to a man in his 30s was also found.
That man’s family have spoken out and identified him as Jason Laws, with his brother Joseph writing a heartfelt tribute on Facebook that Jason had been ‘the best big brother I could ask for’ and that he’d always looked out for him throughout his life.
He vowed to tell Jason’s kids that their father had been the ‘best dad in the world’ and he would ‘love you till I see you again my brosky’.
The explosion has resulted in two deaths, a seven-year-old boy and an adult man. (PA)
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said their ‘thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the two people who have tragically lost their lives’ after the Violet Close blast.
Officers said that six other people had been taken to hospital, five adults and one child, and that all but one had since been discharged.
A man in his 30s is still in hospital and was described as being in a critical but stable condition.
The Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed that there were no reports of missing people in connection with the explosion.
Firefighters said that six flats in total were affected by the blast, with two in particular destroyed by the explosion.
Jason Laws (left) was described as the ‘best dad in the world’ and the ‘best big brother’ in a family tribute. (Facebook/Joseph Laws)
Drone footage of the blast site showed serious damage to Violet Close, with part of it destroyed altogether.
Northumbria Police superintendent Darren Adams sent his condolences to the families of those who had died, saying: “I have no doubt that the people of Elswick and Benwell, and our wider region, will want to join me in extending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends.
“The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.”
The family of seven-year-old Archie York have also been paying tribute to him on social media, with his aunt saying he was ‘the most beautiful, funny, & caring little boy’ and that his ‘name deserves to be shouted from the rooftops’.
A neighbour said the boy was a ‘lovely lad’ and ‘everybody knew him’ to be so.