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Boy, 7, dies and six injured in house explosion Boy, 7, dies and six injured in house explosion
(about 2 hours 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 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 Violet Close in 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". Police, who have now enforced a no-fly zone in the area, said the boy's death was "truly devastating".
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." Eyewitnesses described a "very loud bang" and a "bright flash", with some residents then told to leave their homes and go to a rest centre run by Red Cross volunteers.
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." Three houses along the terrace were completely destroyed and several cars badly damaged.
The area was littered with piles of debris and a heavy smell of smoke lingers.
Firefighters and search dogs have been combing the wreckage and Northern Gas Networks said its engineers had been at the scene.
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.
Police say the seven-year-old boy died at the scenePolice 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. Supt Darren Adams from Northumbria Police said the seven-year-old boy died at the scene.
Pictures show three houses along the terrace completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble. “This is a truly devastating outcome,” he said.
Piles of debris can also be seen on the street outside. "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."
The North East Ambulance Service said it had treated four patients - three adults and one child - and taken them to hospital for further treatment. He also said a no-fly zone measuring 200m (656ft) around the seat of the explosion had been put in place.
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?'
"It's a massive shock, in this area there are many children, many families." "But after that there was the smell and I woke up my family and we went outside.
Others said there was still a "heavy smell" of smoke in the area. "It's a massive shock. In this area there are many children, many families."
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. An evacuation centre was set up nearby and the Red Cross has been giving out mobile phone chargers and food.
"We can confirm all fires have been extinguished," she said. The West End Women and Girls Centre said anyone who had been evacuated from their home was welcome to stay at the centre for food, drinks or warmth.
"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.
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 areaRoads 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. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue confirmed all fires had been extinguished.
Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed "until further notice". Assistant chief fire officer Lynsey McVay said: “Six flats were badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion.
It also confirmed the house was a council-maintained property. "We continue to search the buildings and our specialist dog unit remains on 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.
"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 areaResidents 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. Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
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. It also confirmed the house was a council-maintained property.
Additional reporting by Jonny Manning, Rebecca O'Neill and Peter Harris. Leader Karen Kilgour said housing officers had been 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," she said.
Additional reporting by Jonny Manning, Rebecca O'Neill, Peter Harris and Jo Lonsdale.
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