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| Boy, 7, dies and six injured in house explosion | Boy, 7, dies and six injured in house explosion |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| Eyewitnesses told the BBC they heard a "very loud bang" and saw a "bright flash" | Eyewitnesses told the BBC they heard a "very loud bang" and saw a "bright flash" |
| A seven-year-old boy has died and six people have been taken to hospital with various injuries following an explosion which destroyed three houses. | A seven-year-old boy has died and six people have been taken to hospital with various injuries following an explosion which destroyed three houses. |
| Emergency crews were called to the Violet Close area of Benwell, Newcastle, at about 00:45 BST. | Emergency crews were called to the Violet Close area of Benwell, Newcastle, at about 00:45 BST. |
| Eyewitnesses told the BBC they heard a "very loud bang" and saw a "bright flash", with one describing what she thought was an "explosion". | Eyewitnesses told the BBC they heard a "very loud bang" and saw a "bright flash", with one describing what she thought was an "explosion". |
| Supt Darren Adams from Northumbria Police said: "Despite the efforts of the emergency services, [the boy] tragically died at the scene - this is a truly devastating outcome." | Supt Darren Adams from Northumbria Police said: "Despite the efforts of the emergency services, [the boy] tragically died at the scene - this is a truly devastating outcome." |
| He added: "I have no doubt the people of Elswick and Benwell and our wider region will join me in extending their condolences to family and friends." | He added: "I have no doubt the people of Elswick and Benwell and our wider region will join me in extending their condolences to family and friends." |
| An investigation is under way into how the explosion happened. | An investigation is under way into how the explosion happened. |
| Northern Gas Networks said its engineers were at the scene, with people being warned to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors shut. | Northern Gas Networks said its engineers were at the scene, with people being warned to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors shut. |
| Police say the seven-year-old boy died at the scene | Police say the seven-year-old boy died at the scene |
| Emergency services remain on site and road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area, Northumbria Police said. | Emergency services remain on site and road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area, Northumbria Police said. |
| Pictures show three houses along the terrace completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble. | Pictures show three houses along the terrace completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble. |
| Piles of debris can also be seen on the street outside. | Piles of debris can also be seen on the street outside. |
| The North East Ambulance Service said it had treated four patients - three adults and one child - and taken them to hospital for further treatment. | |
| Emergency crews described it as a "large scale incident" | Emergency crews described it as a "large scale incident" |
| One eyewitness told BBC Radio Newcastle: "There was a big flash, and I was thinking 'it's an explosion' and then after that I was thinking 'is it a car or something?' But after that there was the smell and I woke up my family and we went outside. | One eyewitness told BBC Radio Newcastle: "There was a big flash, and I was thinking 'it's an explosion' and then after that I was thinking 'is it a car or something?' But after that there was the smell and I woke up my family and we went outside. |
| "It's a massive shock, in this area there are many children, many families." | "It's a massive shock, in this area there are many children, many families." |
| Others said there was still a "heavy smell" of smoke in the area. | Others said there was still a "heavy smell" of smoke in the area. |
| Lynsey McVay, assistant chief fire officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue, said at the height of the blaze eight appliances, a command unit and a search and rescue team were deployed to the scene. | Lynsey McVay, assistant chief fire officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue, said at the height of the blaze eight appliances, a command unit and a search and rescue team were deployed to the scene. |
| "We can confirm all fires have been extinguished," she said. | "We can confirm all fires have been extinguished," she said. |
| "We continue to search the buildings and our specialist dog unit remains on scene." | "We continue to search the buildings and our specialist dog unit remains on scene." |
| Police have put in place a no-fly zone measuring 200m (656ft) around the seat of the explosion. | |
| Two members of staff and three volunteers from the Red Cross have also been deployed at a nearby rest centre to help those who had to leave their homes. | Two members of staff and three volunteers from the Red Cross have also been deployed at a nearby rest centre to help those who had to leave their homes. |
| Meanwhile, vehicle recovery workers have taken away several damaged cars on low-loaders. | Meanwhile, vehicle recovery workers have taken away several damaged cars on low-loaders. |
| Roads have been closed and people have been told to avoid the area | Roads have been closed and people have been told to avoid the area |
| Emergency teams worked through the night, and could be seen searching through the rubble. | Emergency teams worked through the night, and could be seen searching through the rubble. |
| Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed "until further notice". | Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed "until further notice". |
| It also confirmed the house was a council-maintained property. | It also confirmed the house was a council-maintained property. |
| Leader Karen Kilgour said the authority was continuing to work with emergency services at the scene. | Leader Karen Kilgour said the authority was continuing to work with emergency services at the scene. |
| She said housing officers were on site to support residents, some of whom were being moved into temporary hotel accommodation. | She said housing officers were on site to support residents, some of whom were being moved into temporary hotel accommodation. |
| "The safety of residents remains our absolute priority and we will continue to provide assistance in any way we can." | "The safety of residents remains our absolute priority and we will continue to provide assistance in any way we can." |
| Residents said many families lived in houses around the area | Residents said many families lived in houses around the area |
| An evacuation centre has been set up nearby, and the Red Cross has been distributing items including mobile phone chargers and food. | An evacuation centre has been set up nearby, and the Red Cross has been distributing items including mobile phone chargers and food. |
| The West End Women and Girls Centre said anyone who had been evacuated was welcome to stay at the centre for food, drinks or just a warm place. | The West End Women and Girls Centre said anyone who had been evacuated was welcome to stay at the centre for food, drinks or just a warm place. |
| Additional reporting by Jonny Manning, Rebecca O'Neill and Peter Harris. | Additional reporting by Jonny Manning, Rebecca O'Neill and Peter Harris. |
| Follow BBC Newcastle on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC Newcastle on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk |