Calls for Newcastle United to join in an applause for boy killed in Benwell

Archie York and Jay Laws died in the blast at Violet Close on Wednesday

Author: Tom Haile and Harry StedmanPublished 19th Oct 2024

There are calls for Newcastle United to join the outpouring of support for a young football fan who was killed in Wednesday's explosion in Benwell.

7-year-old Archie died in the blast at Violet Close and his family are hoping the club can help remember him with a round of applause at the 7th minute of today's game against Brighton at St James' Park.

"I couldn't be any prouder of the little person he was. He lit up every room he went into," says Archie's uncle Chrissy York.

"Over the last few months Archie really got into his football and started to really love Newcastle United. He had the kits and his favourite player was Bruno.

"We would really really appreciate it if NUFC could try and arrange the applause in the 7th minute for Archie".

The other person to die in the explosion, Jay Laws, was the brother of professional boxer Joseph Laws, a well-known figure in the local community who trains in Benwell.

Joseph Laws said in a Facebook post that his head was "in bits" and described Mr Laws as the "best dad in the world" and "the best big brother I could ask for".

Jay Laws and Archie York

Northumbria Police said six people - five adults and a child - were taken to hospital with varying degrees of injuries but later confirmed that all but one of these have now been discharged.

A man in his 30s remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition, a spokesman said.

The spokesman added:

"We can also confirm that we do not have any reports of missing people related to the incident."

Emergency services, including eight fire appliances and specialist search teams, were called to Violet Close shortly before 1am on Wednesday.

Drone pictures from above the street showed at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble.

Firefighters said it was six flats that were badly affected by the blast, with two hit by the main brunt of the explosion.

Mr Adams said the investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing, with cordons expected to be in place in the area for some time.

Speaking to reporters at the scene on Wednesday, he sent condolences to the families involved, saying:

"The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable."

A man who lives in the area, Kieran Chapman, 28, set up a GoFundMe for the people involved in the explosion, which had raised more than £23,000 by Friday afternoon.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/help-the-gas-explosion-families.

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