Newcastle tragedy victims named as city mourns
Families pay tribute to loved ones as the city struggles to cope with the devastating explosion
Newcastle is in mourning after an explosion ripped through a block of flats in the city yesterday, killing seven people. The victims have now been named as:
- Kelly Barrass, 33
- James Winterbottom, 38
- John Coughlan, 63
- Birnie Gray, 72
- William Curry, 13
- Demi Winterbottom, 15
- and a 44-year-old man whose name has not yet been released.
The blast happened at around 9:00am on Tuesday morning, completely destroying the three-storey building in Benwell, a suburb of Newcastle. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, but it is believed to have been caused by a gas leak.
The explosion sent shockwaves through the local community, with many people describing it as the loudest bang they had ever heard. The force of the blast shattered windows in neighboring buildings and sent debris flying into the street.
Emergency services were quick to respond to the scene, but sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the seven victims. The search for survivors was called off yesterday afternoon, and the focus has now turned to recovering the bodies of the deceased.
The people of Benwell have been praised for their bravery in the wake of the tragedy. They ran to the aid of the victims, pulled survivors from the rubble, and provided comfort to the bereaved. One resident, who was first on the scene, described the scene as "utter devastation."
"It was like a war zone," he said. "There was dust and debris everywhere, and people were screaming. I just started digging through the rubble, hoping to find someone alive."
The residents of Benwell are now facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives after the tragedy. A fund has been set up to help the victims and their families, and the local community is coming together to offer support.
The explosion has also raised questions about the safety of gas supplies in Newcastle. The city council has ordered an investigation into the cause of the blast, and has urged residents to be vigilant for any signs of a gas leak.
The explosion in Benwell is a tragedy that has shocked and saddened the people of Newcastle. The victims will be sadly missed, and the community will need time to recover from this terrible event.
