Yahoo News What we know as man charged over Newcastle house explosion that killed child
Reece Galbraith of Gateshead has been charged with two counts of manslaughter over explosion that killed seven-year-old Archie York on 16 October.
A man has been charged with manslaughter and cannabis production after a house explosion in Newcastle that killed two people.
Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason Laws, 35, died in the explosion in the Elswick area of the city in the early hours of 16 October.
Northumbria Police said Reece Galbraith, 33, of Gateshead, has been charged with two counts of manslaughter, production of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
He is due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
What happened in the explosion?
Emergency services were called to what was initially described as a "large scale" explosion in Violet Close, in the Benwell area of Newcastle, at about 1am on Wednesday 16 October.
Photos from the scene showed the scale of devastation caused by the blast, with at least one house appearing to have been completely destroyed and roofs on either side collapsed.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay, from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said six flats had been "badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion".
The area was cordoned off and surrounding roads were closed. A community hub and foodbank were opened in the area to support residents who had been evacuated, with the local authority and the British Red Cross also providing support.
Three men previously arrested as part of the investigation – two in their 30s and one in his 50s – remain on police bail pending further inquiries.
'A heart of gold'
Archie York's parents, Katherine and Robbie, paid tribute to their “cheeky” son who had “a heart of gold” and said his “cheeky smile” will “live on” in his younger brother, Finley.
In statement shared by the police, they said: “Archie was not only our son but our best friend. He lit up every room he went in, whether that was with his cheeky smile he was known for or some of his cheeky words.
“We are so broken as a family, but Archie will live on in his baby brother Finley who is the spitting image of him. He might have been small but he had a heart of gold, everyone loved him.”
Superintendent Darren Adams said it had been a "truly devastating outcome" and the “loss and pain” his family and loved ones must be suffering is “unimaginable”.
Joseph Laws paid tribute to his brother on Facebook, describing his sibling as the “best dad in the world”. He wrote: “One thing I can say, you have been the best big brother I could ask for. You would be willing to die for me and protected me the past 30 years even when I didn’t need [to be] protected anymore.”
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