Newcastle City Council has offered support to residents who have been evacuated from their homes after an explosion in a council house killed a seven-year-old boy.
Yesterday’s blast in Benwell, Newcastle, destroyed three houses and left six people in hospital.
Council leader Karen Kilgour described the incident as ‘heart-breaking’.
‘We have been working with the local community since the early hours of this morning to establish a rest centre to provide shelter and immediate support to those who have been displaced from their homes,’ the council said yesterday in a statement on Twitter/X.
‘Housing officers have been on site to support residents as required and we will continue to help people who have been impacted by this morning’s incident.
‘Some residents have found alternative accommodation with friends and family, while we are now supporting others into temporary accommodation in hotels.’
