A seven-year-old boy died at the scene after an explosion in a residential street in Newcastle.

Superintendent Darren Adams of Northumbria Police said six others were taken to hospital “with varying injuries” after the blast and subsequent fire in Violet Close.

A number of others were evacuated from their homes after emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1am today.

A spokesman for Northern Gas Networks said its engineers are on site and it is “supporting the emergency services during this ongoing incident”.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay, from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said six flats had been “badly affected, two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion”.

The blast tore through a row of six properties divided into two flats each.

Drone footage shows how six flats in the middle of the building appear to have been completely destroyed by the explosion and fire, while piles of debris could be seen on the street outside.

Ms McVay told reporters that all fires have now been extinguished and firefighters continued to search the buildings to ensure that all persons are accounted for.

A fire service van marked “search dogs” was parked near the scene in the Benwell area of the city.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Adams has said an investigation into the cause of the blast is under way.

He added that a cordon was likely to be in place “for some time”.

The superintendent told reporters: “It is with great sadness that I stand in front of you today following the tragic death of a young child.

“As a result of the incident in the early hours of this morning, a seven-year-old boy has sadly passed away.

“Despite the efforts of the emergency services, he tragically died at the scene.

“This is a truly devastating outcome.

“I have no doubt that the people of Elswick and Benwell, and our wider region, will want to join me in extending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends. The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.”

He added: “Inquiries are still at a very early stage and in the coming hours and days, we will continue to piece together what has happened so we can provide answers to the family as well as the wider community.”

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Meanwhile, vehicle recovery workers have taken away several damaged cars away from the scene on low-loaders.

A family friend of some of the victims said there had been a “devastating explosion”.

Andy Riches, a safety steward at Newcastle United, has set up an online fundraiser in aid of the occupants of one of the homes affected.

He is friends with the grandfather of a couple with two children who live in one of the flats, and said: “They have lost everything.”

Thomas Tuchel has told a press conference he has not decided yet whether he will sing the national anthem before England games.

The 51-year-old German made the admission as he was quizzed by journalists after being officially unveiled as the men’s team’s new head coach.

It comes following a row over current interim manager Lee Carsley, who represented Ireland as a player, after he announced he would not sing God Save The King before Three Lions matches.

Tuchel described the song as “very moving” but said: “I have not made my decision yet, I want to be very honest with you.

“I will always show my respect to my new role, to the country, and of course to a very moving anthem, but… I will take a little bit of time for this decision.”

The Football Association revealed during the briefing on Wednesday that it had considered around 10 candidates for the role, which Tuchel will take up in 2025.

The governing body’s chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We interviewed approximately 10 people, we interviewed some English candidates within that. You wouldn’t expect me to divulge any more than that.”

When asked if any of them turned down the opportunity, he replied: “Clearly some were more up for the role than others. But we were absolutely delighted to end up with Thomas.”

Mr Bullingham added: “We believe he gives us the best chance of winning the World Cup so we believe we got the best candidate for the job.”

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In an earlier video message to fans, Tuchel said he was aiming for a “second star” on England’s shirt – which can only be achieved by winning the World Cup.

Speaking from Wembley Stadium, he added: “I’m quite a bit nervous, this is my first message as England head coach.

“There is a reason to be a bit nervous, I think it is a good thing. I can promise I am very excited and very honoured.

“We will do everything to qualify for the World Cup and then try to get the second star on our shirt.”

During the press conference, Tuchel was also asked by Sky Sports if the England job would be his biggest challenge yet.

He replied: “I understood very quickly that it is a big job… it feels big and it feels like a privilege.

“It is very new because I come from club football, but it is also very exciting.

“Once it was made clear to me that this job is about football and I made up a timeframe in my mind from January to the World Cup I felt excited, and it suited my passion and my strive to push this group of players.”

The former Chelsea boss also said he hoped to win over sceptical fans who believe the Three Lions should only be managed by an Englishman.

He said: “I will do everything to show respect to this role and to this country… no matter what [my] national passport says I am.”

Tuchel told Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris he believed England had the “ingredients” to win a first major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

He also declined to say if Harry Kane, who he managed at Bayern Munich, will remain England captain, saying it was “too early to answer these kinds of questions”.

Tuchel’s contract lasts for 18 months and was signed last Tuesday, the FA also revealed.

Five people, including two children, have been killed in a crash on the M6.

The two-car collision involved a Toyota and a Skoda and happened on the northbound motorway, past Tebay services in Cumbria, at 4.04pm on Tuesday, police said.

Four people – a man, a woman and two children from Glasgow – who were travelling in the Toyota were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Skoda driver, a man from Cambridgeshire, also died in the crash.

Cumbria Constabulary said a third child in the Toyota was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious injuries.

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A stretch of the M6 northbound between J36 and J39 was closed following the crash but reopened fully in the early hours of Wednesday.

A force spokesperson said: “The families of those involved are being supported by specially trained officers.”