Boy, seven, dies after homes obliterated in ‘explosion’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

A seven-year-old boy has died after a ‘devastating explosion’ destroyed a number of homes on a residential street in Newcastle.

Shocking drone pictures from above the street in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city showed at least one house appeared to be obliterated.

Firefighters can be seen sifting through the smouldering ruins of what appears to be as many as three destroyed homes.

Piles of debris could be seen on the street outside.

Neighbours claimed they heard an ‘explosion’ before the properties went up in flames at around 1am.

Residents are being advised to keep windows and doors closed, while motorists are asked to avoid the area as road closures are in place.

A spokesman for North East Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 12.45am 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 adviser to the scene.

‘We treated and conveyed four patients – three adults and one child – to hospital for further treatment.’

A Northumbria Police spokesman 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.’

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service tweeted in the early hours of the morning: ‘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 Northern Gas Networks spokesperson said: ‘Northern Gas Networks (NGN) engineers are this morning responding to an incident in the area of Violet Close, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear.

‘Our teams are supporting the emergency services during this ongoing incident.’

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