‘Explosion’ sparks huge fire which rips through multiple homes & leaves child in hospital

A child and three adults have been rushed to hospital after a huge “explosion“ tore through a home in Newcastle. Aerial footage shows the entire property in Violet Close has been reduced to rubble after a devastating fire broke out at around . A child and three adults were taken to hospital after four ambulance crews arrived at the scene in the Benwell and Elswick area. The cause of the blast is not yet known. Police have urged residents to avoid Violet Close as firefighters and gas engineers tackle the “large scale incident“ and work 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 remains in the area with ambulances and a police cordon in place. Road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding areas. Locals were have