Second body found after Benwell house explosion

A second body has been found in the debris following an explosion that destroyed three houses and shook the local community.

Transcript

00:00A second body has been found after a gas explosion destroyed three houses in the Benwell area

00:05of Newcastle in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

00:09The community remains in shock as the body of a man, believed to be in his 30s, has been

00:13found in the debris, this after a 7-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency

00:17services.

00:19Five adults and a child were hospitalised as a result of the blast.

00:22All but one of them have now been discharged.

00:26Northumbria Police Superintendent Darren Adams said thoughts are with the family and friends

00:29of the two people who have tragically lost their lives.

00:32Specialist officers are supporting their loved ones and the police have urged everyone to

00:36respect their privacy at this time.

00:39Cordons are expected to be around the area for some time and floral tributes have begun

00:43to arrive at the area.

00:46The Reverend Chris Minchin of Benwell and Scotswood Teen Parish said people have been

00:50making donations including baby clothes as young families have been affected by the incident,

00:55with many residents leaving their homes in nothing but their pyjamas following the explosion.