A seven-year-old boy has died after a house explosion in Newcastle, police have said.
Six people were taken to hospital after the incident on a residential street in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Superintendent Darren Adams of Northumbria Police said the boy had died at the scene, and six people had been taken to hospital “with varying injuries”, with a number of others evacuated from their homes.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Superintendent Adams said it had been a “truly devastating outcome”.
He said a number of other people had been evacuated from their homes, and an investigation was now under way into the cause of the explosion.
Superintendent Adams said a cordon was likely to be in place “for some time”.
He told reporters: “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.
“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.”
Superintendent Adams added: “Inquiries are still at a 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 community.”
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 told reporters that all fires have now been extinguished and firefighters continued to search the buildings to ensure that all persons are accounted for.
Emergency services were called to Violet Close, in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city, shortly before 1am.
Drone pictures from above the street showed at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble.
A family friend of some of the victims said there had been a “devastating explosion”.
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.
Published: by Radio NewsHub
