Fourteen children have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of a 14-year-old boy following a fire in Gateshead.
The children, all aged between 11 and 14, remain in police custody, Northumbria Police said.
The blaze broke out at Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead on Friday evening, with emergency services rushing to the scene to what they described as a "major incident".
The fire was put out after two hours but following a search of the building, the body of Layton Carr, 14, was discovered.
The children, all aged between 11 and 14, remain in police custody, Northumbria Police said
NORTHUMBRIA POLICEThe teenager had last been seen in Gateshead at around 7.00pm the evening before and prior to the search, an appeal was put out to find missing Carr.
Officers have since confirmed that Carr was the teenager found dead in the fire and his family has been informed.
Eleven boys and three girls aged between 11 and 14 were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life.
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"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.
"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.'
