Nicole Goodwin

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said that they were called to reports of a house explosion at 12.42am and crews were on the scene within 5 minutes and declared a “major incident” due to the extent of the damage. https://t.co/D6RqqeERKi

An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the explosion, police confirmed, adding that the investigation is at a “very early stage” and will continue through the coming days. https://t.co/5BsA4wKyuz

Northumbria Police Superintendent Darren Adams said the death of the young boy was a “truly devastating outcome” and the “loss and pain” his family and loved ones must be suffering is “unimaginable”. https://t.co/wqsGo3O1ux

A seven-year-old boy has died at the scene of an explosion in South Benwell, Northumbria Police have confirmed.

Margaret Ramsay and her dog Rosie are among the residents to be evacuated from their home. She said she didn’t notice the fire at first but thought that someone was trying to break into her home . https://t.co/GfIhQwp8ou

Rev. Minchin said that the church has been open for tea, coffee, a foodbank and prayer this morning and any time residents need support. He added: “It’s desperately said but it’s lovely that people are helping out.”

Rev. Chris Minchin who covers the Benwell parish has also been speaking to impacted residents to offer support. He said: “People are really tired and don’t know what’s going on. They’re desperate for sleep and a shower.” https://t.co/TMwQDghPWw

Speaking about the community centre, Dee said: “If we didn’t have this place everyone would have been left in the rain. We couldn’t fit them all in at first.” https://t.co/DD20i6sgMS

Dee added: “My son lives up near Denton Lidl and he even heard it. It was like a gun shot.”

Dee Bell has been volunteering at the centre at the centre. She said she lives near the centre and heard a “loud bang” in the early hours of this morning. She said: “I thought my house was lifting of the ground it was that loud. I looked outside and saw the flames.”

Several pets have also taken refuge in the community centre. However, Bessie explained that one woman had to leave her cat when she was quickly evacuated from her home and has been worried about her beloved pet going without food. https://t.co/ZYp9KIRIs0

Emma’s manager, Bessie Williams, is also at the community centre and has taken five people into her home who were evacuated. Bessie said: “It’s tragic but unfortunately things like this bring the community together, people of all different nationalities have been helping out.”

Emma added: “It’s fantastic seeing people coming together. It just shows that communities are still there…. If ever I was in this situation l would like to think people would do the same for me.”

Emma said that the centre has been receiving donations from residents who heard about what had happened, as well as donations from the local Asda supermarket and Greggs among other businesses.

Emma added: “There was so many people that everyone couldn’t fit in the centre. We had people sitting on the wall outside in the rain.”

Merton Lodge community centre manager Emma Skillen opened the centre at around 1.30am after hearing about the incident. She said: “I went straight over to police and said I was opening up the community centre for families. Around 50 families turned up…. https://t.co/8zxwYIUv8f

We’re at Merton Lodge community centre where donations of clothes, food and have been arriving to support residents impacted by the fire in the early hours of this morning. https://t.co/A8cVigZie2