Boy, 7, dies after house explosion in Newcastle

A family friend of some of the victims said a “devastating explosion” had occurred.

Andy Riches, safety inspector at Newcastle United, has set up an online fundraising campaign in aid of residents of one of the affected homes.

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.”

Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed, while motorists are asked to avoid the area with road closures.

‘Keep doors and windows closed’

A spokesman for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 12.45pm today to an incident in the Elswick area of ​​Newcastle.

“We have deployed four paramedics, four teams 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 four patients – three adults and one child – and took them to hospital for further treatment.”

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Shortly before 12.45pm today (Wednesday), police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, who were dealing with a fire at an address in the Violet Close area of ​​Newcastle.

“Emergency services remain on site.

“Road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area, and motorists and residents are advised to avoid the area and 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 resources on site at a large scale incident in Violet Close, Newcastle.

“Please avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed until further notice.”

Firefighters remained on scene using a jet to dampen the house, which was still smoldering.

A fire engine marked ‘search dogs’ was parked nearby, as were specialist gas engineers, as recovery workers removed several damaged cars on flatbed trucks.