A CHILD and three adults have been rushed to hospital after a massive “explosion” destroyed a house in Newcastle.
Aerial footage shows the entire property in Violet Close reduced to rubble after the devastating fire which broke out at around 12.45pm.
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Aerial footage shows the devastating effects of a house fireCredit: © YappApp
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A terrible fire engulfed a house early this morning Credit: Twitter
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A child and three adults were taken to hospitalCredit: © YappApp
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Crews are working to clear the ruins and remainsCredit: NNP
A child and three adults were taken to hospital after four emergency crews attended the scene in the Benwell and Elswick area.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
Footage of the scene shows huge flames above a number of houses, with smoke billowing into the air.
Aerial photographs show that several houses have been completely destroyed by the fire, and the houses have been reduced to piles of blackened, smoking rubble.
Police have urged residents to avoid Violet Close while firefighters and gas engineers deal with a “large-scale incident” and work to clear the rubble.
Eyewitness 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.
There is still a large emergency presence in the area with ambulances and a police cordon.
Roads are closed on Buddle Road and surrounding areas.
Residents are urged to close their doors and windows if they see or smell smoke.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Just before 12.45pm today (Wednesday), police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, dealing with a fire at an address in the Violet Close area of Newcastle.
“Emergency services are still at the scene.
“Roads are closed on Buddle Road and the surrounding area and motorists and residents are advised to avoid the area and to close doors and windows if they see or smell smoke.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “We currently have several fire appliances in attendance at a large incident in Violet Close, Newcastle.
“Please avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed until further notice. Thank you.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 00.45am today (October 16).
“We sent four paramedic teams, four teams from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), a doctor, a specialist paramedic, a clinical team leader, a duty officer and a tactical advisor to the scene.
“We treated and transported four patients – three adults and one child – to hospital for further treatment.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.
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Smoke billows from a property on Violet Close this morningCredit: NCJMedia
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A local resident claimed their ‘whole house was shaking’ amid the explosionCredit: © YappApp
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The estate was tragically turned into ruinsCredit: © YappApp
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Fire crews tackled the ‘large-scale incident’Credit: NNP
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Emergency services on Buddle Road this morning Credit: NCJMedia
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A large emergency response presence remains in the area with ambulances and a police cordon Credit: NCJMedia
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There were local reports of a large ‘explosion’Credit: NNP
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The child and three adults were transported to the hospitalCredit: NCJMedia
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