A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy died after a huge "explosion" tore through a home in Newcastle.

       A further six casualties were taken to hospital suffering from different levels of injuries, and emergency services are continuing to search the area to ensure no-one else was caught up in the blast.

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       A local claimed their 'whole house shook' amid the blast Credit: YappApp 8

       A horror blaze ripped through a home in the early hours of today Credit: Twitter 8

       Crews were seen working on clearing rubble and debris Credit: NNP 8

       A child and three adults were taken to hospital Credit: YappApp 8

       Superintendent Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, speaks to the media in Benwell Credit: PA

       Aerial footage showed a property in Violet Close reduced to rubble following a devastating fire which broke out at just before 1am.

       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.

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       "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."

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       Two flats bore the brunt of the explosion, the fire service has confirmed.

       Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service described the scene that met her when she arrived.

       She said: "There were significant fires, and the explosion had had a significant impact on a particular part of a property.

       "Six flats were badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion.

       "There was an awful lot going on, an awful lot happening and our priority was to establish what casualties were involved and what resources we needed to support the incident.

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       The property has tragically been reduced to rubble Credit: YappApp 8

       Smoke billowing out of the property on Violet Close this morning Credit: NCJMedia

       "The casualties were from the upstairs flat and the downstairs flat."

       In a statement read out to the press conference she said: "A 00.42am this morning we received an emergency call to a house explosion in Benwell.

       "Crews were in attendance within five minutes and very soon after we declared the incident a major incident due to the extent of the damage that was observed on arrival.

       "This early major incident declaration resulted in early notification to all blue light and partner agencies.

       "At the height of the incident we had eight fire appliances, a command unit, search and rescue dogs and an urban search and rescue team on the scene.

       "We can confirm that all fires have now been extinguished.

       "We continue to search buildings to ensure all persons are accounted for.

       "Our urban search and rescue team including our specialist dog unit remains on scene.

       "We are continuing to work closely with our partners including Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance Service and Newcastle City Council.

       "At this stage our priority continues to be the ongoing search of the premises and to ensure the safety of nearby residents and all our operational crews.

       "We appreciate that residents have been displaced and we want to reassure those affected that we are doing everything that we possibly can to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

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       Fire crews tackled the 'large scale incident' Credit: NNP

       "We would like to send out heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of the seven-year-old boy who sadly died."

       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."

       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.

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       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.