A seven-year-old boy has reportedly been killed in an explosion in a house on a residential street.
Police have reported that six people were taken to hospital following the blast. Emergency services were taken to the Violet Close, in the Benwell and Elswick area of Newcastle in response to the blast.
Images circulating on social media suggest that two homes have been almost entirely destroyed in the explosion. Drone footage appears to corroborate this.
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Northumberland Police said they were called to the scene at 12.45am today (October 16).
(Image: PA)
Around an hour later Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service reported that several engines attended the scene.
Residents in the area have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
According to a family friend of one of the victims, there had been a “devastating explosion”.
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.”
(Image: PA)
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 spokesman for Northern Gas Networks said it has engineers on site and is “supporting the emergency services during this ongoing incident”.