LONDON: British police have said 14 children aged between 11 and 14 were arrested in a northeastern English town after a teenage boy died in a fire at an industrial park.
11 boys and 3 girls were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, Northumbria police said late on Saturday.
The victim was confirmed as 14-year-old Layton Carr whose body was found inside the building in Gateshead, near Newcastle, after he was reported missing on Friday.
“Sadly, following searches… a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was located deceased inside the building,” a police spokesman said.
Police were alerted about the fire on Friday night, and said inquiries were still at an early stage.
“This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life,” said detective chief inspector Louise Jenkins.
Nearby residents told the BBC on Sunday that teens and children often trespassed on the industrial site.