14 Children Arrested After Teen Dies in Gateshead Industrial Fire
GATESHEAD, UK Fourteen children have been arrested following the death of a 14-year-old boy in a fire that broke out near an industrial park in Gateshead on Friday night, Northumbria Police confirmed.
Emergency services were called shortly after 8:00 PM to the scene near the Fairfield Industrial Park in the Birtley area. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze quickly, but a tragic discovery was made later that evening.
Police had issued a missing person appeal for 14-year-old Leighton Carr. Hours later, a body believed to be his was found inside one of the industrial units affected by the fire. His family has been informed and is currently receiving support from specially trained officers.
In a shocking development, authorities have taken 14 children—11 boys and 3 girls—into custody on suspicion of manslaughter. The children are aged between 11 and 14. Police emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages and that a cordon is still in place at the scene.
In a statement, Northumbria Police called the incident “an extremely tragic event,” adding: “Our thoughts remain with Leighton’s family as they begin to come to terms with their devastating loss.”
The public is being urged not to speculate about the circumstances of the fire, either within the community or online, as the investigation continues.
This developing story has left the local community in mourning as police work to determine the events that led to this heartbreaking outcome.
