Three adults and one child taken to hospital after fire in Newcastle street

Four people, including one child, have been taken to hospital after a large fire in a residential street in Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to the blaze in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city just before 1am on Wednesday.

Drone pictures from above the scene, on Violet Close, shows a property that appears to be completely destroyed, with the roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble.

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A family friend of some of the victims said there had been a “devastating explosion”. Residents are being advised to keep windows and doors closed, while motorists are asked to avoid the area as road closures are in place.

Andy Riches, a safety steward at Newcastle United, has set up an online fundraiser in aid of the occupants of one of the homes affected. He is friends with the grandfather of a couple with two children who live in one of the flats, and said: “They have lost everything.”

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 12.45am 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 adviser to the scene.

"We treated and conveyed four patients – three adults and one child – to hospital for further treatment."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Shortly before 12.45am today (Wednesday), 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.

"Road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area, and motorists and residents are advised to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows closed if they see and smell smoke."

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service tweeted in the early hours of the morning: "We currently have several firefighting appliances in attendance at a large-scale incident in Violet Close, Newcastle. Please avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed until further notice."