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.
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.
Tributes poured in for Layton on social media on Saturday night. One person posted: ‘My boy my baby cousin, my Layton.
‘Nothing will ever come close to the pain I feel right now. Forever 14. I’ll miss you sausage.’
Layton Carr, 14, (pictured) was found dead inside a building on Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, on Friday
A GoFundMe page was set up today by a friend of a the family to raise money for Layton’s funeral
Pictured: An aerial view of Fairfield Industrial Park where the fire broke out on Friday
Another added: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking. Sending love and thoughts all the family at this devastating time. RIP Layton.’
A third said: ‘Rest in peace big lad such a beautiful soul taken far to soon.’
A GoFundMe page was set up today by a friend of a the family to raise money for Layton’s funeral.
Stephanie Simpson wrote on the page: ‘As everyone is aware my best friend Georgia Dingwall has lost her 14-year-old son Layton Carr in one of the most tragic ways.
‘I’m making this go fund me to help her give him the best send off! The last thing Georgia needs to stress trying to pay for a funeral for her boy.
‘Any donations will help thank you.’
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.
‘Our specialist officers will continue to support them in whatever way they can.
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. Photo from the scene
Eleven boys and three girls aged between 14 and 11-years-old have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Pictured: Fairfield Industrial Park
‘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.’
In the missing person’s appeal issued this morning, Northumbria Police said it was ‘growing increasingly concerned’ about Layton.
The teen, described as 5ft 6ins tall, with short brown hair, was last seen at around 7pm on Friday.
He was said to be wearing a black Under Armour cap with white logo, dark grey Berghaus puffa jacket, black tracksuit bottoms, grey t-shirt and black and grey Nike 95 trainers.
MailOnline has contacted Northumbria Police for comment.
