Benwell community rally together to support families evacuated after fatal explosion

Merton Lodge community centre has been taking donations throughout the day after manager Emma Skillen decided to open the centre to provide shelter for those affected

Around 50 families and their pets took refuge in a community centre after their homes were evacuated following a house explosion in Newcastle.

Merton Lodge community centre has been open since around 1.30am, serving hot drinks, food and water to residents affected by an explosion in South Benwell at around 12.45am. Photos from the scene show several flats reduced to rubble and a huge emergency response in the area, which is expected to continue for some time.

A seven-year-old boy sadly died at the scene and three adults and a child have been taken to hospital. Searches continue in the area to ensure everyone is accounted for.

But amid the tragic circumstances, the people of Benwell and the surrounding areas have been coming together to support those affected. Many have provided donations of food, water, money and clothes to help residents who had to leave their homes with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.

Merton Lodge community centre has been taking donations throughout the day after manager Emma Skillen decided to open the centre to provide shelter for those affected. Although she didn't hear the explosion she was woken shortly after it occurred and when she looked at her phone she saw messages from people asking what had happened.

Emma said: "I got up and saw all the flames. All I could think about was the families standing outside with nowhere to go, so I grabbed my coat, put my shoes on and walked down to Buddle Road.

"I went straight over to police and said I was opening up the community centre for families and the next thing I knew they were bringing all the families in. Just after 1.30am around 50 families turned up. There was so many people that everyone couldn't fit in the centre. We had people sitting on the wall outside in the rain."

Emma put a post on Facebook to say that as well as opening the community centre she was collecting donations to support residents. And several businesses have contributed to the kind donations which have arrived from members of the community.

Emma said: "It's fantastic seeing people coming together. It's a sad reason but it just shows that communities are still there for each other. We've had people from West Denton and further afield wanting to help. Asda, Iceland and Greggs have donated, a church and a foodbank have donated. Everyone is just coming in to help where they can and it's amazing.

She added: "If ever I was in this situation l would like to think people would do the same for me. It was the right thing to do."

Emma said that the number of people at the centre has reduced through the day as Newcastle City Council had sorted taxis for some people to go and stay with family members. And her manager, Bessie Williams has also taken five people into her home who were evacuated.

Bessie said: "A woman at my house still has her cat still at home and it hasn't got food. She's worried about her cat but she can't get into her house."

Bessie has also been at the community centre helping out throughout the day. She added: "People are amazing when there's tragedy. It's tragic but unfortunately things like this bring the community together and you see how strong the community can be. It's times like this when that comes to light, people of all different nationalities have been helping out."

Margaret Ramsay and her dog Rosie are just some of those who have been able to receive support from the community centre. The 61-year-old said she left her home with no money and the council will likely arrange for her to stay in a hotel until her home can be assessed.

She said she has been at the community centre since 1.30am and was among those who waited outside due to the centre being full. Speaking about the damage to her home, she said: "One of the panes of glass in the front bedroom window had been smashed out, my lampshade fell off the ceiling in the back bedroom and there's loads of big cracks across the ceiling."

She has been supported throughout the day by volunteers at the centre, including Dee Bell who heard the explosion in the early hours of this morning and offered her time to help the community after she found out what had happened.

Dee said: "I thought my house was lifting off the ground, it was that loud. I looked outside and saw the flames. At first I thought a car had crashed into the little island [in the road] near mine because it was such a thud but then I saw the flames and all you heard was screaming, and screaming, and screaming. It was awful.

"My son lives near Denton Lidl and he even heard [the explosion]. It was like a gunshot. I've just nipped out to get lunch and saw the photos when I looked at my phone, it's horrendous."

As well as support at Merton Lodge community centre, St James' Church will be open throughout the day for people to access support. Reverend Chris Minchin, who is a vicar for Benwell and Scotswood, heard the news about the explosion within his parish and opened the church to allow the community to visit and pray for those impacted by the incident.

He also visited Merton Lodge community centre today to speak to residents and volunteer his support.

Rev. Minchin said: "People are really tired and don’t know what's going on. They're desperate for sleep and a shower. But I think over the next few days people will start to process what has happened.”

He added: "It's a desperately sad situation but it's also lovely that people are helping each other. We'll be there as long as people need. We'll be open every day if people want to come and pray. There's tea and coffee there and if people turn up and they need food, we'll sort food too."

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