Police have said a further six people were taken to hospital with "varying injuries" following the blast and subsequent fire in the early hours of this morning.

This is a truly devastating outcome.”Drone pictures showed that at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed, with roofs collapsed and firefighters working amongst the rubble. Piles of debris could be seen on the street outside.

Meanwhile, Newcastle City Council asked people to avoid the area and told those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows closed "until further notice". It also confirmed the house was a council-maintained property.

A seven-year-old boy has tragically died following a huge house explosion. Two houses in Newcastle's Benwell & Elswick area were damaged by the explosion in the early hours of this morning. Superintendent Darren Adams of Northumbria Police confirmed that six people had been taken to hospital “with varying injuries”,

Seven-year-old boy dead and six injured after explosion at house in Newcastle - Emergency services were called to the incident in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city shortly before 1am on Wednesd

A child is among four people being treated in hospital after a huge fire on a residential street in Newcastle.