Boy, 7, dead after devastating house explosion

Emergency services at the scene at Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
-Credit: (Image: PA)


A seven-year-old schoolboy has been confirmed dead after a large house explosion in Newcastle. Two homes were destroyed in the huge blast in Benwell, Newcastle earlier today, Wednesday.

Six people were rescued and taken to hospital but a young boy has since been confirmed to have died of his injuries. Shocking photographs taken by a drone captured the devastation left on the residential street adjacent to the River Tyne.

The roof is missing and debris has been blown across the front and back of the several properties. Northumbria Police Superintendent Darren Adams confirmed the young boy had died at the scene, with a number of others evacuated from their homes.

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Superintendent Adams said it had been a “truly devastating outcome”, and confirmed an investigation was now under way. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said six flats had been “badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion”.

Emergency services were called to Violet Close, in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city, shortly before 1am. Drone pictures from above the street showed at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble.

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