Newcastle City Council issues update on families forced to leave homes after deadly Benwell explosion
by Daniel Holland · ChronicleLiveCouncil bosses are still searching for long-term accommodation for families whose houses were destroyed in last week’s deadly explosion in Benwell, though others could start returning to their homes soon.
Two people, seven-year-old Archie York and 34-year-old Jason Laws, were killed in the tragic blast which left flats on Violet Close in ruins a week ago. Six others were taken to hospital following the incident in the early hours of October 16, one of whom remains in a ‘critical but stable’ condition. Dozens of residents from Violet Close and the surrounding Buddle Road area have had to leave their homes.
As investigations to establish the cause of the explosion continue, Newcastle City Council has confirmed that it is still “assessing longer term rehousing options” for people forced to move into hotels arranged by the council or stay with family and friends in the aftermath. City council leader Karen Kilgour added that local authority housing chiefs are also now “looking at supporting others back to their homes where it is safe”.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that some families may be able to return to their homes from later this week, while the council hopes to offer an alternative for people those whose properties remain uninhabitable within the next couple of weeks. It has not been confirmed how many people have been displaced as a result of the incident.
The authority’s chief executive, Pam Smith, last week urged the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, amid social media claims surrounding an alleged leaking boiler.
Seven days on from the devastating explosion, Coun Kilgour said: “It is now a week since the tragic fatal incident at Violet Close which sadly claimed two lives, and we continue to think of all of those who are grieving for loved ones and recovering from their injuries.
“This has of course been an incredibly traumatic time for a huge number of people, and we are continuing to provide all the support we can to help those who have been displaced from their homes. The needs and welfare of those residents remains our absolute priority, alongside continuing to support the emergency services and other regulators with their investigations.
“Residents have been allocated a designated point of contact to be able to keep informed with updates and raise any concerns they have. Alongside partner agencies we’ve provided mental wellbeing support, temporary accommodation to anyone who has required it, financial support, and assistance to retrieve essential items from their homes wherever possible.
“We are now in the process of assessing longer term rehousing options for those whose homes are damaged beyond repair, or whose properties require significant structural and safety work, and are looking at supporting others back to their homes where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
“I would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding during what is an incredibly difficult time, as well as all of those who have come forward with offers of support. I must also praise all our officers, and our partners, for their enormous efforts to support those who have been impacted.”
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