A seven-year-old boy has tragically died after a massive ‘explosion’ ripped through a council house in Newcastle, as police confirm six other people have been taken to hospital.
Firefighters, police and gas engineers rushed to the scene in the Benwell area of the city at around 12.45am in what has been described as a ‘large-scale incident’.
Aerial photos taken earlier today showed the harrowing extent of destruction on Violet Close, as six other people were rushed to hospital with ‘varying injuries’.
Sadly, Northumbria Police Superintendent Darren Adams has now confirmed a seven-year-old boy has died.
It is currently unknown what caused the ‘explosion’ but police have confirmed an investigation is now underway.
People have been urged to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the incident as police confirmed a cordon is likely to be in place ‘for some time’.
A number of people have been evacuated from their homes and they are being supported by staff at Newcastle City Council.
Superintendent Darren Adams said: ‘It is with great sadness that I stand in front of you today following the tragic death of a young child.
‘As a result of the incident in the early hours of this morning, a seven-year-old boy has sadly passed away.
‘Despite the efforts of the emergency services, he tragically died at the scene.
‘This is a truly devastating outcome.’
Superintendent Adams added: ‘I have no doubt that the people of Elswick and Benwell, and our wider region, will want to join me in extending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends.
‘The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.
‘I can confirm six people were taken to hospital with varying injuries.
‘A number of people were also evacuated and are being supported by our colleagues from Newcastle City Council.
‘They are working with our partners and the community to ensure all those remain in the area are safe.
‘Investigations are ongoing to establish how the explosion occurred.
‘These enquires are still in the very early stage and in the coming hours and days we will continue to piece together what has happened so we can provide answers to the family as well as the wider public.
‘We would appeal to anyone who has any information about what has happened to contact us.
‘It is likely that the cordon will remain in place for some time as we continue to carry out our investigations.
‘This is an incredibly tragic incident.’
The devastated local community has rallied around to offer support to those effected by the blast, a local vicar has said.
Father Chris Minchin, of Benwell and Scotswood Team Parish, has been helping out at a local community centre.
He said: ‘It opened up immediately and it has provided people with a warm space for the families who have been evacuated and who are in shock about what happened.
‘There have been lots of donations for people, including baby stuff as there are quite a lot of young families.
‘The council has been busy sorting out hotel rooms for people.
‘Everyone is really tired, they have been up all night and it has been tough. People are in shock, but there has also been a wonderful response.
‘It shows the importance of having community spaces right where people live.
‘People are just starting to talk, nobody can prepare mentally or spiritually for something like that.
‘It is only hitting people now. There was a busyness before, now they are all on their way to hotels or to stay with friends and family.
‘People left with nothing, just in their pyjamas, and grabbed their pets and their children and that’s it.
‘Over the coming days they will need support and some love and care.’
The vicar said St James’s Church in Benwell Lane will be open for prayers and candles will be lit for the little boy who died.
Ed Milliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero said: ‘All of my thoughts are with those affected by the awful incident at a house in Newcastle.
‘My department is working with Northern Gas Networks to provide all possible assistance and support, and my thanks go to the emergency services at the scene.’
Emergency services were pictured scouring through piles of rubble and burned debris this morning and they continue to search the area to ensure no-one else was caught up in the blast.
The roof joining the attached properties had completely collapsed, while doors, windows and possessions lie strewn across the garden and onto the street outside.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said six flats had been ‘badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion’.
She said crews attended within five minutes and she confirmed that all the fires are now out.
Eight fire engines were at the incident, at its height, plus specialist units, including the urban search and rescue team.
Ms McVay added: ‘At this stage, our priority continues to be the ongoing search of the premises and to ensure the safety of nearby residents, and all of our operational crews.’
Locals in the area spoke of waking up to a loud bang in the early hours of the morning and seeing people crying in the street.
One woman who lives close by said: ‘Me and my husband woke up to a big bang.
‘It was really loud. My husband is a heavy sleeper, and he woke up straight away.
‘We saw people outside. It was about 12.45am. I have heard two properties have been affected.
‘I heard from a police officer they still don’t know what caused it. There were about ten fire engines one after another. It’s a shocking thing to have happened.’
Another resident added: ‘There was an explosion about one-ish and then there was a massive fire.
‘We could see it from the top floor. I woke up hearing people outside the house.
‘There were people crying in the street. It was really sad. There have been a lot of ambulances. It was a massive blast.
‘I am assuming they have been evacuated to a community centre. They were outside for a long time.’
Andy Riches, a safety steward at Newcastle United, has set up an online fundraiser in aid of the occupants of one of the homes affected.
He is friends with the grandfather of a couple with two children who live in one of the flats, and said: ‘They have lost everything.’
Firefighters continued to work at the scene using a jet to damp down the house, which was still smouldering.
A fire service van marked ‘search dogs’ was parked nearby, as were gas specialist engineers.
Meanwhile, vehicle recovery workers were taking away several damaged cars on low-loaders.
Police have asked people to avoid the area and to keep their doors and windows closed. There are also road closures in place around the surrounding area.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘We currently have several firefighting appliances in attendance at a large scale incident in Violet Close, Newcastle.
‘Please avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed until further notice.’
A spokesperson for Northern Networks said: ‘Our engineers are on-site this morning in Violet Close, Newcastle, supporting the emergency services.’
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 00.45h today.
‘We dispatched four paramedic crews, four crews from our hazardous area response team (HART), a doctor, a specialist paramedic, a clinical team leader, a duty officer and a tactical advisor to the scene.
‘We treated and conveyed four patients – three adults and one child – to hospital for further treatment.’
Some local residents have appealed for blankets and water bottles to be brought to the nearby community centre.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: ‘Shortly before 12.45am today (Wednesday), police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, who are dealing with a fire at an address in the Violet Close area of Newcastle.
‘Emergency services remain in attendance at the scene.
‘Road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area, and motorists and residents are advised to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows closed if they see and smell smoke.’