Parents Issue Vital Warning After Tragic Loss in Newcastle Blast
In an exclusive and deeply moving account, the parents of a seven-year-old boy killed in a devastating house explosion are speaking out to warn others about the hidden dangers of living near illegal drug production facilities. Katherine Errington and Robbie York have endured unimaginable tragedy yet are determined to help prevent similar disasters in memory of their beloved son, Archie.
A Night That Changed Everything
Katherine Errington's life was irrevocably altered at 12.45am on October 16, 2024, when an illegal cannabis 'shatter' factory operating directly below her family's flat in Benwell, Newcastle, exploded with catastrophic force. The blast, caused by a dangerous build-up of butane gas during drug production, destroyed their home and claimed two lives: their seven-year-old son Archie and 35-year-old Jason Laws, an accomplice of downstairs neighbour Reece Galbraith.
"Covered by debris and paralysed by fear, I regained consciousness in total darkness," Katherine recalled of the horrific moment. "The world as we knew it had ended."
The Aftermath and Miraculous Survival
Miraculously, the family's seven-week-old baby son, Finley, was found alive nearby in the rubble, having survived the explosion. Katherine was pulled from the wreckage by partner Robbie and a neighbour. But their frantic search for Archie ended with the devastating news no parent should ever hear.
"Then we got the information that they'd found Archie's body... he was gone," Katherine said, her voice filled with emotion. "Our beautiful boy was only seven, but he spent his life thinking of others. He loved to help people, always helping me or his friends."
Justice and Unanswered Questions
Reece Galbraith, of Gateshead, admitted two counts of manslaughter in May last year and was subsequently jailed for 14 years. However, Katherine and Robbie believe the charge should have been murder, given the deliberate risks taken.
"This was not an accident. This was a choice," Katherine stated firmly. "They brought gas canisters into a building where families lived. They ran a drug operation under the floor where my children slept. They took risks for profit and didn't care who might have been hurt. They killed my son."
Robbie added with palpable anger: "To me those responsible murdered my boy. I was devastated at the loss of Archie, but now I am full of anger. Those responsible for the explosion won't ever feel the pain I have of losing a child."
Warning Signs Every Community Should Know
Now working with Newcastle City Council to raise awareness, the couple are determined to turn their tragedy into a force for positive change. They want every household to recognise the tell-tale signs of illegal drug production in residential properties.
Katherine explained: "Looking back, there probably were signs that we might have spotted if we'd known what to look out for. We had no knowledge about cannabis shatter at all so it wasn't something that we would even think about. I don't think anyone would think that it could be going on next door to you when you hear about the risks."
The key warning signs they urge people to watch for include:
- Strong Chemical Smells: A distinct odour of solvents such as butane, propane, or other chemicals
- Unusual Ventilation Setups: Covered windows, fans running constantly, or makeshift ventilation systems
- Excessive Supplies: Large amounts of butane canisters or propane tanks being delivered and stored
- Electrical Modifications: Heavy use of extension cords, unusual wiring, or high electricity consumption
- Frequent Visitors at Odd Hours: Suspicious traffic patterns with people coming and going at unusual times
- Discarded Materials: Empty solvent cans, chemical containers, or cannabis plant waste seen outside properties
A Message to Drug Gangs and a Legacy of Love
Katherine has a direct message for those involved in illegal drug production: "Stop. You might not think what you're doing is dangerous, but it is. You are making a choice to do it and putting people at risk and they don't even know it."
The couple's campaign, "Archie's Story," aims to ensure their son's legacy is one of protection and awareness. "We know that he'd want to help to make sure that nobody else had to go through what we have," Katherine said. "I want to turn the negative into a positive so nobody has to go through that. That is what I have kept saying and I mean it, he'd want to help."
Community Support and Official Response
Councillor Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, praised the couple's extraordinary bravery in coming forward with their warning. "By telling Archie's story, we hope to shine a light on the dangers of drug production and the devastating impact it can have on lives and communities," she said. "Awareness and vigilance truly can save lives, and that is the message we want to carry forward."
As the family continues to navigate life without their precious boy, Robbie reflected on their ongoing pain: "As a family, we have to live through all of the Christmases and birthdays without our precious boy. He will be forever seven. Finley keeps us going."
The couple were forced to identify Archie from dental records, photographs, and the pyjamas he was wearing that fateful night - a memory no parent should ever have to endure. Their campaign continues, driven by love for their son and determination to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedy.
