A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy died after a huge “explosion” tore through a home in Newcastle.
Aerial footage showed a property in Violet Close reduced to rubble following a devastating fire which broke out at just before 1am.
YappAppA local claimed their ‘whole house shook’ amid the blast[/caption]
TwitterA horror blaze ripped through a home in the early hours of today[/caption]
NNPCrews were seen working on clearing rubble and debris[/caption]
YappAppA child and three adults were taken to hospital[/caption]
PASuperintendent Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, speaks to the media in Benwell[/caption]
A child and three adults were taken to hospital after four ambulance crews arrived at the scene in the Benwell and Elswick area.
Superintendent Darren Adams of Northumbria Police read a statement at 1:15pm in relation to the fire.
He said: “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.”
The Superintendent was joined by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
Locals in the area spoke of waking up to a loud bang in the early hours of the morning and seeing people crying in the street.
One woman who lives close by said: “Me and my husband woke up to a big bang. It was really loud. My husband is a heavy sleeper, and he woke up straight away.
“We saw people outside. It was about 12.45am. I have heard two properties have been affected.
“I heard from a police officer they still don’t know what caused it. There were about ten fire engines one after another.
“It’s a shocking thing to have happened.”
Another resident added: “There was an explosion about one-ish and then there was a massive fire. We could see it from the top floor.
“I woke up hearing people outside the house. There were people crying in the street. It was really sad.
“There have been a lot of ambulances. It was a massive blast.
“I am assuming they have been evacuated to a community centre.
“They were outside for a long time.”
YappAppThe property has tragically been reduced to rubble[/caption]
NCJMediaSmoke billowing out of the property on Violet Close this morning[/caption]
Footage of the scene had captured towering flames over a number of houses, while aerial photographs showed multiple homes were completely destroyed by the fire.
Police earlier urged residents to avoid Violet Close as firefighters and gas engineers tackled the “large scale incident” and worked on clearing debris.
Witness reports on social media claimed there was an “explosion” in the early hours of the morning, while a nearby resident claimed their “whole house shook” amid the blast.
A large emergency service presence was sent to the area with ambulances and a police cordon in place.
Road closures were put in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding areas.
Locals were urged to keep their doors and windows closed if they see or smell smoke.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson earlier 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 said: “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. Thank you.”
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 00.45h today (16 Oct).
“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 advisor to the scene.
“We treated and conveyed four patients – three adults and one child – to hospital for further treatment.”
NNPFire crews tackled the ‘large scale incident’[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
