Exclusion zone confirmed for tower block explosion

People living near a tower block due to be blown up have been told to keep away during the controlled explosion.

Hexham House in Walker, Newcastle, was set to be knocked down earlier this month, but was delayed to avoid the one-month anniversary of the Benwell house explosion.

The derelict building will be demolished on Saturday, with Newcastle City Council advising nearby residents to leave the area by 10.30 GMT.

Three children from Walker, who were selected through a competition, will press the button to detonate the explosives, the local authority said.

The exclusion zone is about 200m (656ft) in diameter and people living in streets including Hexham Ave, Philipson St, Duncan St, Midway and Dawson St are among those affected.

The council has recommended residents move any vehicles and make plans to keep pets safe.

The controlled explosion is the first to happen in Newcastle since 2008, when Sir Bobby Robson pushed the button to destroy the old Scottish and Newcastle Brewery.

The demolition is expected at 11:00 GMT, but it may take up to four hours before the restriction is lifted, the local authority said.

St Anthony’s of Padua Community Hall and Wor Hoose Community Project will be open for residents from 09:00 GMT until 16:00, with light refreshments available.

Newcastle City Council’s Facebook page will be livestreaming the demolition, which will feature approved drone footage.

Amateur drone owners are not be able to fly their own drones in the vicinity.

The tower block, first completed in 1968, is being demolished as part of regeneration work with the council promising up to 50 affordable homes for the area.

Residents in the following streets will be affected by the exclusion zone:

• Hexham Ave
• Philipson St
• Birch Terrace
• Hedgeley Terrace
• Ingram Terrace
• Duncan Street
• Church Walk
• Titan Rd
• Dawson St
• Fairhaven Ave
• Midway
• Iona Place
• Lightbourne Rd
• Berry Close

The city council said the best way to see the demolition, including the view from drones, would be online.

A livestream can be accessed via the authority's Facebook Page and its website.

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].