14 Children Arrested After Missing Boy Dies in Industrial Estate Fire: ‘Extremely Tragic’

• Fourteen children between the ages of 11 and 14 were arrested after 14-year-old Layton Carr was found dead in an industrial estate in England following a large fire
• The minors were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and they’ve since been released on bail
• Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins told The Times that Carr’s death was “an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life”

Fourteen juveniles have been arrested after a 14-year-old boy who was reported missing earlier this week died in a fire.

According to reports from The Guardian, the BBC and The Times, the body of Layton Carr was discovered after a large fire broke out in an industrial park building in Gateshead — located along the River Tyne on England’s eastern coast — just hours after he was first reported missing on Friday, May 2.

Eleven boys and three girls, all between the ages of 11 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the incident, the outlets reported, citing a statement from Northumbria police. All 14 minors have since been released on bail.

“Shortly after 8 p.m. on [Friday], we received a report via the fire service of a fire near Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead,” police told The Times in a statement.

“Emergency services attended, and the fire was extinguished a short time later. Subsequently last night we issued an appeal for missing boy Layton Carr — it was believed he was in the area at the time,” the statement continued.

“Sadly, following searches carried out by Northumbria Police and partners at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was located deceased inside the building,” police added to the outlet.

The circumstances of the fire were not immediately made public. PEOPLE has reached out to Northumbria police for further information.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins told The Times that Carr’s death was “an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life.”

“Our thoughts are with Layton’s family as they begin to attempt to process the loss of their loved one,” she continued. “Our specialist officers will continue to support them in whatever way they can. We ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

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Locals who spoke to the outlets said that the industrial park had fallen into disrepair in recent years, and teenagers would often trespass onto the property.

“It’s awful, it’s tragic what’s happened, but it’s avoidable,” one local resident told The Times. “At the back of your mind, you think, someone needs to do something to stop them getting in.”

Carr’s classmates, teachers and neighbors have set up a number of memorials and shared their support for the 14-year-old’s family.

“Our school community is heartbroken. Layton was a valued and much-loved member of year 9, and he will be greatly missed by everyone. We extend our sincere condolences to Layton’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” his headteacher David Thompson said in a statement on Facebook.

“As a school, we will rally together to support one another through this tragedy. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects is invited to lay flowers at the fence in front of the bungalow in memory of Layton,” Thompson added.

A friend of Carr’s mother has also set up a GoFundMe on her behalf to help pay for her living expenses as well as her son’s funeral. The fundraiser has collected over £113,557 (nearly $18,000) as of May 4.

Northumbria police asked anyone with information about this incident to contact them using their social media accounts or via their website.