Six people were taken to hospital ‘with varying injuries’ and several others were evacuated from their homes in the Benwell and Elswick area after the blast left the street looking ‘like a plane had hit it’.
In an update this afternoon, police 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. This is a truly devastating outcome.
‘I have no doubt that the people of Elswick and Benwell, and our wider region, will want to join me in extending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends.
‘The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.’
Superintendent Adams went on: ‘Inquiries are still at a very early stage and in the coming hours and days, we will continue to piece together what has happened so we can provide answers to the family as well as the wider community.’
Six flats were ‘badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion’, assistant chief fire officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said.
She told reporters that all fires have now been extinguished and firefighters continued to search the buildings to ensure that all persons are accounted for.
Emergency services were called to the incident in Violet Close shortly before 1am on Wednesday.
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.
A family friend of some of the victims said there had been 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 have lost everything.’
The 54-year-old added: ‘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.’
Firefighters continued to work at the scene using a jet to damp down the house, which was still smouldering.
A fire service van marked ‘search dogs’ was parked nearby, as were gas specialist engineers.
Meanwhile, vehicle recovery workers were taking away several damaged cars on low-loaders.
The British Red Cross was at the scene helping local people who have been unable to go home.
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.’
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