A seven-year-old boy has died and three others are in hospital after a large explosion in a residential street in Newcastle.
Emergency services were called to the incident in Violet Close, in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city, shortly before 1am on Wednesday.
Superintendent Darren Adams of Northumbria Police said the young boy had died at the scene, and six people had been taken to hospital, 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.
Key Points
- Seven-year-old boy died at the scene, police say
- Family friend says it is a “devastating explosion”
- Emergency services confirm all fires have been extinguished
Family friend says it is a “devastating explosion”
13:54
Jabed Ahmed
A family friend of some of the victims of the fire called it 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 had suffered a “devastating explosion” and added “they have lost everything”.
Mr Riches, 54, said: “They were in the flat above where the explosion happened. It looks like an aeroplane has hit the street. They have had an explosion and then the gas has caused a fire.
“I set the page up to help them rebuild their lives. We will try to get the community together because this has decimated the street.”
Seven-year-old boy dies at the scene, police say
13:55
Jabed Ahmed
Superintendent Darren Adams said at the scene: “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.”
Emergency services confirm all fires have been extinguished
13:57
Jabed Ahmed
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay, from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters were called to the street at 12.42am on Wednesday.
She said crews attended within five minutes and she confirmed that all the fires are now out.
Ms McVay said eight fire engines were at the incident, at its height, plus specialist units, including the urban search and rescue team.
She said this team, including dogs, remains at the scene.
Ms McVay said: “At this stage, our priority continues to be the ongoing search of the premises and to ensure the safety of nearby residents, and all of our operational crews.”
Pictured: bird’s-eye view of destruction cause by fire
13:59
Jabed Ahmed
50 families helped by community centre after explosion
14:14
Jabed Ahmed
Around 50 families have arrived at a nearby community centre after the explosion.
Emma Skillen, manager at the Merton Lodge community centre, said she opened the centre shortly after the explosion around 1:30am.
“I went straight over to police and said I was opening up the community centre for families. Around 50 families turned up,” she told The Mirror.
“There were so many people everyone couldn’t fit in the centre. We had people sitting on the wall outside in the rain.”
‘It was like a gunshot’, says local resident
14:29
Jabed Ahmed
Dee Bell said it felt as though her home was “lifted off the ground” by the explosion.
She told ChoronicleLive: “I thought my house was lifting off the ground, it was that loud. I looked outside and saw the flames.
“My son lives up near Denton Lidl and he even heard it. It was like a gunshot."
Mapped: Where did the explosion happen?
14:43
Jabed Ahmed
An ‘awful incident’, Ed Miliband says
14:59
Jabed Ahmed
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary has said the explosion is an “awful incident”.
In a statement on X, Mr Miliband said: “All of my thoughts are with those affected by the awful incident at a house in Newcastle. My department is working with Northern Gas Networks to provide all possible assistance and support, and my thanks go to the emergency services at the scene.”
All of my thoughts are with those affected by the awful incident at a house in Newcastle. My department is working with Northern Gas Networks to provide all possible assistance and support, and my thanks go to the emergency services at the scene.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) October 16, 2024
Watch: Drone footage of Newcastle explosion that killed seven-year-old boy
15:24
Jabed Ahmed
Blast-hit community rallies round with support after boy’s tragic death
15:56
Jabed Ahmed
Father Chris Minchin, of Benwell and Scotswood Team Parish, was helping out at a local community centre.
He said: “It opened up immediately and it has provided people with a warm space for the families who have been evacuated and who are in shock about what happened.
“There have been lots of donations for people, including baby stuff as there are quite a lot of (young) families. The council has been busy sorting out hotel rooms for people.
“Everyone is really tired, they have been up all night and it has been tough. People are in shock, but there has also been a wonderful response. It shows the importance of having community spaces right where people live.
“People are just starting to talk – nobody can prepare mentally or spiritually for something like that. It is only hitting people now. There was a busyness before, now they are all on their way to hotels or to stay with friends and family.
“People left with nothing, just in their pyjamas, and grabbed their pets and their children and that’s it.
“Over the coming days they will need support and some love and care.”
Leader of Newcastle City Council issues statement
15:59
Jabed Ahmed
Councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “First and foremost my thoughts go out to the loved ones of the young boy who has tragically lost his life following this morning’s incident at Violet Close.
“This is a heartbreaking update to hear and it shows the severity of the incident that the emergency services have been dealing with.
“I’m sure everyone in the local area and across the wider city will join me in sending condolences to the boy’s family and friends.”
The council leader said the local authority was working to support local residents.
She added: “The safety of residents remains our absolute priority and we will continue to provide assistance in any way we can.”
ICYMI: ‘It looks like an aeroplane has hit the street’, family friend says
16:30
Jabed Ahmed
A family friend of some of the victims of the fire called it 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 had suffered a “devastating explosion” and added “they have lost everything”.
Mr Riches, 54, told the PA news agency: “They were in the flat above where the explosion happened. It looks like an aeroplane has hit the street. They have had an explosion and then the gas has caused a fire.
“I set the page up to help them rebuild their lives. We will try to get the community together because this has decimated the street.”
