One year since the explosion in Benwell
The explosion killed two people and forced others to leave their home
Last updated 16th Oct 2025
It has been one year since a cannabis shatter lab exploded in Benwell ripping apart lives and buildings.
The explosion claimed the life of 7-year-old Archie York.
Violet Close now has a gaping hole where a block of homes once stood. There is now a single tree that has been planted in the centre of an area of grass to remember the much loved little boy.
Archie's mum Katherine Errington spoke with Hits Radio North East earlier this year.
She said: "I could smell loft installation, I can taste the blood from where I was bleeding. I couldn't move. I was screaming for help.
"No one would come and help us. It felt like a long time. I got pulled out through bricks, every brick that Robbie was moving off us more and more the building was falling down on top of us.
"I was trying to look for Finlay, I couldn't see him and I didn't know where he was. Finlay stopped crying and I thought he was gone.
"We got moved into a room and they said we've find Archie, but he's gone."
The Benwell community tell us that it is still raw a year on following the explosion.
This time last year saw many displaced. They received support from the local community, including at the Cornerstone.
Amy Sturdy is the operations manager at the Cornerstone in Benwell. She worked tirelessly supporting those who needed it.
She said: "From the moment that the explosion happened, this community showed up in donations, in time and care. People putting their arm around others, asking how they're doing and asking what they can do.
"The big word that we had was just the solidarity as well. The solidarity in this area of just people being there for others. People brought in bags of clothes, warm food, toys for children and it was just absolutely overwhelming."
Jason Laws, 35, who was one of the people behind the cannabis lab, also died in the blast.
His accomplice, Reece Galbraith, is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence.