A child is among four people rushed to hospital after a fire tore through a home. Mercy crews scrambled to the Violet Close area of Elswick in Newcastle at around 12.45am on Wednesday.
One child and three adults were subsequently raced to hospital, the Chronicle reports. Their conditions are not yet known.
Reports on social media suggested there was an “explosion” at the property. Pictures from the scene show the house completely destroyed, with the roof caved in and wooden beams charred black.
Debris lies strewn across both the front and back gardens. Roads in the area have been shut and the street has been cordoned off, with emergency crews still on the scene.
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 00.45h today.
“We dispatched four paramedic crews, four crews 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 conveyed four patients – three adults and one child – to hospital for further treatment.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 12.45am today, police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, who are dealing with a fire at an address in the Violet Close area of Newcastle. Emergency services remain in attendance at the scene.
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