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| Boy, 7, dies and six injured in house explosion | |
| (32 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. | |
| 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". |
| 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. |
| 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 be seen on the street outside. | Piles of debris can be seen on the street outside. |
| 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. |
| A fire service van marked "search dogs" was seen parked nearby, as were gas specialist engineers. | A fire service van marked "search dogs" was seen parked nearby, as were gas specialist engineers. |
| 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. |
| Meanwhile, Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed "until further notice". | Meanwhile, Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed "until further notice". |
| 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 was seen handing out items including mobile phone chargers and food. | An evacuation centre has been set up nearby, and the Red Cross was seen handing out 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 Rebecca O'Neill and Peter Harris. | Additional reporting by 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 |