Newcastle tower block demolition delayed to avoid clash with Benwell explosion one-month anniversary
by Daniel Holland · ChronicleLiveThe demolition of a derelict Newcastle tower block has been delayed to avoid clashing with the one-month anniversary of the tragic Benwell explosion.
Newcastle City Council has pushed back the date of a controlled explosion that will bring down the Hexham House block in Walker. The blast had been scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 16, but has been moved to two weeks later because it would have fallen exactly one month after the deadly explosion in Violet Close, which claimed the lives of seven-year-old Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws.
Announcing the rescheduling on Wednesday, the local authority said it would be "insensitive" to carry out the demolition on the anniversary of the traumatic events in the West End of the city. The razing of the 16-storey Hexham House, which will be the first explosive demolition staged in Newcastle since the old Scottish and Newcastle Brewery in 2008, will now take place on Saturday, November 30 instead.
A council spokesperson said: “We have taken the decision to move the date of the planned demolition of Hexham House as November 16 fell on the one month anniversary of the major incident in Benwell in which an explosion claimed the lives of two of our city’s residents. We felt it was insensitive for us to conduct a controlled explosion on this day, given the potential for it to remind those affected of the traumatic events of that day.
“Given the fact work has been undertaken to weaken Hexham House in advance of the demolition, we will still need to conduct the demolition in the coming weeks. Therefore the date of November 30 has been selected for the controlled explosion. We apologise if this causes any inconvenience but we hope residents understand the reasons why we have taken this decision.”
On Wednesday, Northumbria Police confirmed that three men have been arrested in connection with the Benwell incident. The trio, two men in their 30s and one in his 50s, have all been arrested on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and the production of cannabis.
The council added: “We acknowledge that the police have confirmed they have arrested three individuals in connection with the explosion at Violet Close. This has been a hugely traumatic experience for a significant number of people, and residents are continuing to mourn the loss of loved ones.
“We will continue to provide any support necessary to all affected residents and give our full assistance to the ongoing investigations. As this is an ongoing police matter, and Northumbria Police retain control of the scene, we are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
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