Boy, 7, killed as blast razes flats

A BOY aged seven was killed and six people were injured when an explosion and blaze ripped through flats yesterday.

- Katie Dickinson

Fire crews combed through the debris of six homes that were badly damaged - two of which bore the brunt of the blast.

Nearby homes were evacuated after the 1am tragedy in Violet Close, Newcastle.

Gas engineers were at the scene and Supt Darren Adams said a probe had begun.