A devastating explosion in Newcastle which killed two people, including a seven-year-old boy, has been called the “most challenging” incident faced by firefighters in years.

Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws died in the tragic blast in Violet Close, Benwell, earlier this month, while dozens were forced to leave their homes.

As a probe continues to try and establish the cause of the explosion, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) chiefs paid tribute to the victims on Monday morning.

Lynsey McVay, the service’s assistant chief fire officer, described the harrowing incident as the “most challenging we have had in recent years”. 

Speaking at a Fire Authority meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in Washington, she added that the Violet Close blast had been “managed really, really well” despite the loss of two lives and called it the biggest incident she had witnessed where firefighters “were not playing catchup”.

Ms McVay, who was on the scene of the explosion 35 minutes after it was reported in the early hours of October 16, said: “It was a really emotive incident, emotions were really high throughout. That was predominantly because there were missing people and a missing child.

"The crews conducted themselves exceptionally well and it was managed exceptionally well, from my perspective.

“It was a challenging incident, the most challenging we have had in recent years because time was of the essence and we had to try and locate those that were missing.

“Sadly we found the young child who was there and then later in the day the adult male [who were both found dead at the scene]. Investigations are ongoing as to the cause and that was not our concern, an explosion had happened and we were in the search and rescue phase.”

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Sunderland councillor and Fire Authority chair Phil Tye praised the dedication of firefighters who tackled the blaze, while Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour echoed the praise for the emergency services at the scene.

Peter Heath, TWFRS chief fire officer, said: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the people we lost in that fire and their families. We have worked alongside our partners, Newcastle City Council in particular, to make sure we are offering what we can in terms of support while it was ongoing and in the days after.”

Six others were taken to hospital following the explosion, one of whom was seriously injured and remains in hospital.